(Cleveland)- Monday afternoon White County Public Safety Director David Murphy talked with reporters about the latest storm efforts. Murphy said we are in the recovery phase, which is always the longest phase, with the biggest part to direct people who need assistance to the proper agencies like the American Red Cross and then there is the big job of clean up and debris management.
Murphy said, they will be exploring ways the county can help in disposal of vegetative debris, such as trees, limbs and leaves.
According to Murphy In White County there were 13 residences and two businesses that sustained major damage from the storm, but none were destroyed.
Murphy said there was a man who called 9-1-1 Monday night reporting he was stranded on Popular Stump Road north of Helen, because of trees in the roadway. He said it was 4 PM Tuesday before they were able to help the man. According to Murphy U.S. Forest personnel had to cut 40 trees out of the roadway to get to him, that didn’t include trees blocking highway 75 leading to the forest service road. The man who had to ride out the storm in his car was uninjured.
The lack of power and communication including cell phone and internet service complicated the recovery efforts immediately following the storms passage. According to Murphy Verizon had three main cell towers completely out after the storm, that complicated the communication process.
Murphy said the highlight of the event was the community coming together to help, “ I mean people calling and coming together saying, I want to help, what can I do. Our CERT Team, Citizen Emergency Response Team, I have said we’ve got these guys, they’re training so they can help us during these disasters, they stepped up to the plate. The chain saw strike team under that volunteer group they worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday assisting the Road Department, “ said Murphy.
He also recognized the churches, especially those that are a part of the White County Baptist Association, for their outpouring of help.
(photo/wrwh.com)
