Storm Briefs from Crittenden County

1. Crittenden County Courthouse will reopen on a regular schedules starting Monday, Feb. 9.
2. County debris cleanup: Although there is no guarantee, county officials hold out hope that FEMA or other state agencies will help clean up in the aftermath of the storm. County Judge-Executive Fred Brown says residents can pile up limbs, logs, etc., at least 10 feet from the right-of-way. If a contract is approved by state or federal agencies, the debris will be picked up later. If not, individual residents will be responsible for removal of their own debris. Brown cautions residents to avoid putting debris close to roads or highways that might inhibit large vehicles such as school buses. If debris cleanup is approved at the state or federal level, it could be weeks before debris is removed. For quicker cleanup, remove debris yourself and take it to the county debris dump off Bridwell Loop (the old landfill). There is no charge for debris dumping.
3. Mayor Mickey Alexander says residents may pile debris 10 feet from right-of-ways on city streets and the city will eventually come by and pick up the limbs or logs.
4. The Marion Baptist Church Basement will not be open for youth grades 6-12 Friday, Feb. 6 from 7-11 p.m., due to resources being focused on the public shelter at its Family Life Center. The next Friday night for the Basement will be Friday, Feb. 20.
5. Officials are trying to make arrangements for people staying at the public shelter at Crittenden Elementary School. Those people will moved back to their homes if they have power at their residence. Otherwise, they will likely be moved to the Marion Baptist Church Family Center. No one will be moved without adequate arrangements.
6. School officials plan to start getting their schools back in order this weekend. There will be no school Monday, but there are hopes of starting classes on Tuesday or Wednesday. Officials will clean and conduct a safety sweep of CCES before it is reopened to children.
7. FEMA is providing no individual assistance for people who have had extraordinary expenses due to the storm. In other words, FEMA is not reimbursing anyone for anything such as generators or saws at this time. The only people who qualify for FEMA help are those who had home damage and do not have homeowners insurance.