The City of Amarillo said Wednesday, May 27, that the following help with cleanup and debris removal, as well as temporary housing assistance, is available for residents impacted by the recent fire at the City of Amarillo landfill.
Impacted residents needing cleanup of their property or assistance with temporary housing can contact the 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone.
The 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline website is www.uwamarillocanyon.org/2-1-1-texas-panhandleunited-way-helpline
In addition, the Texas Panhandle Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is working on casework for impacted residents and have numerous work orders for clean-out work to clean damaged residences and separate debris for removal.
VOAD can be contacted via the 211 helpline, and the VOAD website is https://txpanhandlevoad.org/
Landfill fees for impacted residents hauling debris to the landfill have been waived as of May 26. The city said the fee waiver is exclusively for impacted property owners conducting their own debris removal. Property owners are asked to please provide proof of residence to the gate attendant.
The Texas Panhandle VOAD also has short-term housing available with a partnership through Airbnb.org. Requests can be made via the 211 Helpline and need to be submitted by June 4.
FEMA debris management guide
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency debris pickup requirements on differences between clearance vs. removal of items, clearance is clearing the right of ways to allow for emergency response activities, while removal is the collection of the debris.
“Debris on a residential property is so widespread that it creates an immediate threat to public health and would be in the best interest of public health to have it removed,” the FEMA guidelines state. “Debris should be moved closest to the curb and sorted as above. Permission from the home owner should also be supplied to the Local Government Entity that will be picking up and disposing of the debris, permission to be on property and remove debris.”
FEMA said debris removal from privately owned businesses is usually not permitted but can be approved if FEMA approval is received prior to debris removal.
Most commercial businesses are covered by insurance. If debris removal is covered by insurance FEMA will not reimburse, no duplication of benefits are allowed.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Here’s how impacted residents can get help in debris cleanup, housing
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
