Rusk County Prepares for More Rain
Posted/updated on: May 30, 2015 at 11:10 am
HENDERSON — Rusk County and the city of Henderson continue their recovery effort following severe storms that included an EF-2 tornado. KETK reports county and city leaders met Friday morning to discuss the current state of their efforts to repair damage across the area. The Office of Emergency Management says according to National Weather Service forecasts, additional rainstorms are expected to move through the area this weekend which could bring one to two additional inches of rain​. Officials say this could cause additional delays in cleanup efforts or cause partially damaged trees to fall. Residents are asked to be extremely careful and aware of potential problems to avoid injuries.
At 8 a.m., there were approximately 3,000 customers without power according to utility company representatives​. The largest number of those were within the city of Henderson. Outside the city, the biggest problem crews are encountering is muddy, swampy conditions resulting from the saturated ground.
At least 15 homes have been completely destroyed. More than 250 homes and more than 50 businesses have sustained significant damage​according to estimates based on current county and city damage assessment teams. Officials say teams will continue assessments over the next few days.
All structures in Henderson that were destroyed or suffered major damage will need a permit for repair work. This includes any structure with holes caused by falling trees or limbs. Since structural weakness cannot always be seen, homeowners must have the structures inspected by an engineer or architect to determine if the trusses were damaged. The city will waive both permit and inspection fees for work related to storm damage.
Henderson residents can take nonÂhazardous structural debris such as shingles, roofing and metal to the East Texas Regional landfill​, east of town on FM 2867, about a mile off FM 840. City residents are asked to bring a water bill with them for tracking purposes. Residents should place “clean debris†(trees and limbs) on the curbside for pick up by the city.
Henderson ISD held classes Friday on all campuses with two-hour delay. ​Buses ran two hours late. There were 36 people at the shelter Thursday night​. The Red Cross is managing the shelter at Henderson Civic Center.
IMPORTANT PUBLIC MESSAGES
COPPER THEFT  ​There have been some isolated reports of copper theft in areas where utility crews are trying to restore power lines. Residents are asked to report all suspicious activity involving utility materials, especially at night.
ADDITIONAL DOWNED TREES ​ Tree limbs that were damaged but did not come down in the initial storm will die and then fall 24Â48 hours after the initial event. This can cause additional power outages and be extremely dangerous for residents trying to clean up their property. We ask residents be cautious when dealing with downed trees due to the possibility that power lines could be tangled in the trees as well.
POWERLINE DANGER ​ With the ground saturated with water, downed power lines can kill people even if people are not touching the lines. Simply walking near a downed power line can be fatal. Citizens should not approach any downed power line but simply report the problem to local officials.
SCAMS​ There have been some reports of unlicensed workers ​offering to perform electrical work for people with storm damage. The city is strictly enforcing regulations that require electricians to be licensed by the State of Texas as have a permit for all work although the city is currently not charging for permits​. The city is encouraging all residents to check the credentials of all people performing work on homes and businesses.
DEBRIS COLLECTION SITES ​ The temporary debris collection sites are set up to accept limbs and green foliage until 7:30pm through Saturday​. They cannot accept metal, shingles, tar paper, or other structural debris. If the temporary debris site is closed, please
DO NOT dump debris outside of the gates of the sites​. Henderson residents can place tree and limb debris curbside through Friday and the city will pick it up. They may also bring it to one of the debris dump sites. The East Texas Regional Landfill
CAN accept nonÂhazardous structural debris from county and city residents.
Site Locations:​:
TEMP SITE: CR417D Transfer Station  by airport
TEMP SITE: FM 1716 & SH43 Transfer Station
East Texas Regional Landfill: FM 2867 off FM 840 Â Accepts all nonÂhazardous
material
YARD CLEARING ASSISTANCE ​ There are several opportunities for people to get assistance with yard cleanup. People can contact the The Texas Baptist Men at 903Â-466-Â5115. Henderson residents can call 903-Â392-Â1651 to request help with clean up assistance.
