Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 6-8-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Friday, June 08, 2007 8:30 a.m.

GREENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL DEMOLITION. Due to the demolition, a one block area of Iowa and Oak Streets, adjacent to the school, have been blocked off until Sunday, June 10.
KANSAS GAS SERVICE will begin purging natural gas lines of air, dirt, and debris in Greensburg on Monday, June 11th at 9 a.m. The process will take a few weeks. The crews will block off a one block area at a time. An odor of rotten eggs, in the area being purged, may be noticed. All people are asked to avoid KGS blocked areas and to not smoke, cause sparks, or operate vehicles and machinery in the area whil,me work is in process. If an odor is noticed, call 1-888-482-4950.

ALLTEL WIRELESS ADJUSTS MINUTES. Alltel is automatically adjusting airtime overage minutes for May, June, and July bill cycles and automatically adding 1,000 free bonus minutes local coverage to all customer lines for August, September, and October with billing Zip Codes of 67109, 67059, and 67054. Alltel also has activated a special toll free number for its Greensburg customers. That number is 1-866-937-2259. Hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Retail stores have been established in Mullinville and Haviland. Store hours are Monday –Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE FILLED a Greensburg/Kiowa County Disaster Relief and Recovery Special Committee. The panel will meet several times throughout the year to monitor the rebuilding efforts after the May 4 tornado. Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, serves as the committee’s vice-chair and Representatives Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg, is also a committee member. Contact their offices with questions.

HOURS OF OPERATION for the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College are now 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Greensburg Disaster Recovery Center will continue to be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

ID BADGES FOR GREENSBURG RESIDENTS Residents can obatain ID badges at the Emergency Operations Center on the square Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents are asked to provide some form of identification such as a driver’s license. The badges are intended to provide residents with easier access to their property but is strictly voluntary.

GREENSBURG MAIL You can get your mail by signing up for a box at the new post office. Hours are: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Contact 620-723-2341 with questions.

WASHER/DRYER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE at Haviland Park under the water tower for public use.

CHANGE OF MEAL LOCATIONS:
Base camp will serve the last meal on June 11th. The last hot meal will be breakfast. A bag lunch will be available that day. Meals will be served at the following locations starting dinner time June 11th.
· Lighthouse Worship Center 804 W. Wisconsin. Will serve hot meals Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Beverages will be available throughout the day.
· Methodist Church 600 W. Lincoln. Meals available: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.-lunch and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.-dinner. They will provide snacks throughout the day.
· Salvation Army In Dillons parking lot. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Lunch served 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Dinner served 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Muffins and coffee available for breakfast. Beverages provided throughout the day.

PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE UNTIL JUNE 15 to begin or commit to debris removal. After that date, the city will begin the process to evaluate the properties for possible demolition by the city. Properties would be assessed the costs associated with this removal.

A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER INSPECTION IS NEEDED for property owners who wish to rebuild a home or business. This is required before a building permit can be issued. Call the Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions.

LOST AND FOUND. There has been a lost and found station set up at Greensburg City Hall. Residents are encouraged to come by and view the inventory list during regular office hours. New items are arriving daily.

NEW HOUSING PROGRAM TO AID GREENSBURG Reconstruction assistance programs are available through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation - 785-296-5865 or www.kshousingcorp.org.

C&D LANDFILL HOURS are 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

WATER SERVICE REGAINED. Officials are continuing to test and turn on the water lines to areas of Greensburg. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 with questions about water restoration or to report water leaks.

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN DEBRIS CLEAN-UP. Protect yourself with gloves, hard soled shoes or boots, and respiratory masks as necessary. If you have a cut or a scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention.

HELP SPEED UP DEBRIS REMOVAL by placing it in the right of way. Keep debris at least three feet from utility poles, fire hydrants and water and gas meters. Call City Hall with debris removal questions at 620-723-2751. Debris removal will be ending soon, so residents are encouraged to take advantage of the free removal service.

SRS REOPENS LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP) to aid residents in Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford and Edwards counties. Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 29th. The benefit is a one-time payment to help with energy bills. LIEAP applications are available at any SRS local office or by calling 1-800-432-0043.

KDHE MAINTAINS A LIST OF LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTORS. Private contractors must be KDHE licensed to remove or demolish any suspected asbestos material. Contact Scott Bangert at 785-296-1689 with questions.

ALL CONTRACTORS MUST REGISTER at Greensburg City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contract work is prohibited without registration and/or license. Contractors are responsible for hauling jobsite debris. Contractors must plug any sewer lines.

SEPARATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WHITE GOODS. Separate refrigerators, air conditioners, batteries, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane and compressed gas cylinders from debris and leave at the curb for removal. Place waste food items in trash bags and leave at the curb. Bags are available at the Lighthouse Worship Center and Salvation Army at Dillon’s. Protective gloves and masks must be worn when removing food debris.

KIOWA COUNTY OFFICES are located at the Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Health Department and Extension offices are now located on the square. They are open Monday –Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Health Department number is: 620-723-2136 and the Extension number is: 620-723-2156.

GREENSBURG CITY OFFICES are located on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

CITY OF GREENSBURG ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS at City Hall during regular business hours.

FEMA HIRING FOR LOCAL POSITIONS. Residents and those who worked in Greensburg and have lost their jobs, are being considered for these positions. Call 770-216-3156 or 417-234-3798 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. Greensburg residents are being considered for employment opportunities like administrative assistance, general labor, and other positions. Please contact the Local Area I Workforce Investment Board at the Haviland Disaster Recovery Center or call 620-388-4993 or 620-388-4992.

FIRE FIGHTER POSITIONS.
Local residents who were displaced by the tornado and want to work for the Fire Department can get an application at the Emergency Operations Center.

VEHICLE REMOVAL Owners of vehicles in Greensburg that were towed to the south landfill can view the inventory in person. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

FREE PHONE USE at the square for residents and responders provided by AT&T.

THOSE WISHING TO VOLUNTEER MUST CALL 211 (in state) or 1-888-413-4327 (out of state) prior to arrival. Ameri Corp is organizing groups wishing to volunteer, call 314-313-4779. Volunteers must dress appropriately for hazardous working conditions.

GREENSBURG FRAUD TASK FORCE. The Greensburg Fraud Task Force will investigate and prosecute any thefts of federal disaster relief funds. Call 1-800-KS-CRIME with tips.

GREENSURG RESIDENTS can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the west entrance to Davis Park. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PICK UP FOR BUSINESSES. The free hazardous materials pick up period has ended for businesses. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado damaged hazardous materials should contact the KDHE at 785-296-1697.

CALL 911 IF YOU ENCOUNTER A HAZARDOUS SPILL OR LEAK. Never handle damaged or leaking containers. Please call KDHE at 785-296-1697.

FUEL AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AT VOLZ OIL. The public can purchase fuel Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PROGRESS REPORT:
· Volunteers have contributed 34,783 hours to date.
· EPA has collected 36,309 household hazardous waste items to date.
· Since the storm, workers have hauled 274,189 cubic yards of debris requiring 29,060 truck loads. The debris removal process is approximately 78 percent complete.

AVAILABLE DISASTER ASSISTANCE:
· SBA is located on the square. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
· FEMA is on the square Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. or 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov
· Contact Kansas Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
· Treat ALL power lines as if they are live. Call 911 if you observe an arcing power line.
· Leave room for emergency and military vehicles when parking.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· Burning is prohibited in Greensburg. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is discouraged in high winds.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Kiowa County Health Department on the square.
· Kansas Gas Service is testing natural gas lines. If you have concerns about gas odors, call 9-1-1.