Tornado cleanup, repairs far from complete

It's been a week since a tornado cut a path through Jackson, and for the victims, volunteers and work crews, the hard work is just getting started.

The road back to normalcy will be a long one, said Mark Winkler, area coordinator for the State Emergency Management Agency.

"The recovery period doesn't happen overnight," he said. "It takes time, patience and perseverance on the part of the residents. The agencies can only do what they're commissioned and allowed to do. You've got to let the recovery effort take its natural course."

Disaster officials released new totals for the number of homes affected by Tuesday's tornado: Twenty-two homes were destroyed, 43 received major damage and 140 received minor damage. Of those, six were mobile homes and four were apartment buildings.

There are no estimates for the total costs incurred by the storm, including damage to power lines, utilities and structures, city administrator Paul Roach said. Most of the 216 buildings affected still need to be evaluated by insurance companies or disaster agencies. Other costs will include the extra hours worked by utility crews and emergency personnel over the last week.

Though more than 550 tons of debris have been hauled away since Wednesday, enough limbs and wreckage are still laying about to occupy cleanup crews for more than two weeks, he said. Residents are asked to separate their piles into tree limb brush and structure debris.

In the midst of sorting through what remains of their homes, at least 64 families have requested assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said spokesman Ken Higginbotham. Of those, 23 inspections have been done, but more remain to be completed over the next couple of weeks.

"We can't make people whole again, but we're trying to get them on the road to recovery," Higginbotham said. "We want to get them safe, secure and in a sanitary environment."

The grants of up to $25,000 are available for each family if they are eligible, he said. But several factors, including gross income and an inspection of the actual property damage, are considered before any money is handed out.

For John Sander, the grant money can't come soon enough. He and his family have been staying with relatives since the storm demolished most of their home on Lakewood Drive. To make matters worse, Sander's Cape Girardeau hardware store recently went out of business.

"We'll probably be homeless until October or November," he said. "Right now, I'm homeless, jobless and penniless. I'm about ready to put my tin cup out."

Low-interest, long-term loans are also available through the U.S. Small Business Administration to many who suffered losses, Higginbotham said.

Volunteer effortsThe local chapter of the Red Cross has opened 52 cases since Wednesday, said spokeswoman Mary Burton. Seven families were placed in Drury Lodge while seeking permanent lodging. The group also prepared 1,000 meals a day for volunteers, families and work crews in the areas.

Some in need may have felt too embarrassed to seek out the help available to them, Burton said.

"We're here -- they just need to come in and we can open up a case," she said. "We have enough to go around to help with everybody's needs."

For those wanting to provide help, Burton said monetary donations are preferred over material items, which can create storage problems and more workload to sort or clean.

"Hold a yard sale," she said. "Sell those items and donate the money if you truly want to help," she said.

The Salvation Army has been working "hand in hand" with the Red Cross in helping families and volunteers, said Major Robert Gauthier. The group has delivered more than 1,500 meals since Saturday in their mobile canteen.

The biggest need he's seen for donations are necessary furniture items, Gauthier said.

"People are needing beds, dressers, and some kitchen items would be helpful," he said.

Scam artistsResidents are also being warned about strangers offering to do home inspections or contract work. It is best to err on the side of caution, Higginbotham said.

"Applicants need to make sure they have legitimate identification before allowing them into their homes," he said. "There is no charge for a FEMA inspection, so if they ask for money, you'll know right at the beginning they're not a FEMA inspector."

In addition, contractors are required to be licensed and to have permits for both demolition and construction projects, Roach said.

"Be real careful about who you're letting in your house," he said. "Make sure they have ID. And if they say they're from the city and don't have any, call our office."

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160