May 13, 2008 01:02 am
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By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt announced Monday that three joint federal and state damage-assessment teams will begin collecting property-damage information from residents and businesses in tornado-stricken areas. Three additional teams also will collect information on infrastructure damage in Newton, Jasper and Barry counties.
The teams are composed of representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and local governments.
In Picher, Okla., a joint federal and state damage-assessment team from FEMA, the SBA and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management conducted preliminary damage assessments Monday. The team will be available to conduct assessments in other areas as additional damage reports are received.
John Treanor, FEMA spokesman, said the telephone number to call for assistance is (800) 621-3362. He said the number operates continuously for all disaster declarations.
Treanor said a FEMA disaster-recovery center at 1930 S. Virginia Ave. in Joplin that had been scheduled to close will remain open for tornado victims in anticipation of a federal disaster declaration. He said the center will be open for those needing assistance in completing their FEMA registration.
The following is a list of services available for people who have been affected by the storms.
Shelters
n In Newton County, the Red Cross has established a shelter in Seneca at the First Baptist Church, 901 Oneida Ave. The Red Cross closed the shelter at Calvary Baptist Church, 2650 Oakridge Extension, Neosho. At noon today, that location will begin operating as a service center to provide resources, including cleanup kits, water and other items for storm victims.
Two other locations operating as Red Cross service centers are the First Baptist Church in Newtonia, and the command center at Missouri Highway 43 and Iris Road in Newton County.
n A Red Cross shelter has been established at the First Christian Church, 2424 N. Main St., in Miami, Okla.
Red Cross numbers
n In Missouri, the Red Cross can be reached by calling (866) 221-8238.
n In Oklahoma, the Red Cross can be reached by calling (918) 831-1109.
Donations
n All Arvest Bank locations are accepting donations to benefit tornado victims. Proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross and will be used locally to directly benefit relief efforts.
The account name is American Red Cross May 10 Tornado Victims. Checks may be made payable to the American Red Cross.
Arvest locations also will be collection points for the Red Cross, which is accepting nonperishable items including bottled water, diapers, toiletries and canned goods.
n Various items for disaster victims are available from a warehouse at 1300 Howard Bush Drive in Neosho. Available items include bottled water, power drinks, personal hygiene products, paper towels, baby diapers, baby formula, snacks, first-aid kits, clothes, shoes, pillows and blankets.
Details: (417) 451-8248 or (417) 451-8249.
Power outages
n As of Monday afternoon, between 3,500 and 4,000 customers of New-Mac Electric Cooperative were without power, according to Mark Rakes, a cooperative spokesman.
Rakes said customers in Neosho and Diamond Grove shouldn’t be concerned if their lights blink while crews continue to restore electricity to other areas.
For an update on power outages and restoration for New-Mac customers, people may call (417) 451-1515.
n Empire District Electric Co. reported that as of 5 p.m. Monday, fewer than 500 customers were without service. These customers are primarily in Granby, Newtonia and Seneca.
Tetanus shots
The Newton County Health Department is offering tetanus shots to area emergency workers and residents. The offer is for anyone who has been or will be involved in handling debris from the tornado. To obtain a shot, people may visit the health department at 812 Harmony St. in Neosho. Offices open at 8 a.m. Details: (417) 451-3743.
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