City outlines clean-up tips following EF-1 tornado

Do you need somewhere to bring your down tree limbs and branches? Do you have damage to your house. Make sure to have a plan for severe weather cleanup.

The City of Joplin continues to clean up from the significant storm damage caused on the night of May 6, 2024. The National Weather Service has preliminarily determined that an EF-1-rated tornado cut an intermittent damage path 4.49 miles long and up to 100 yards wide from southeast Joplin into Duquesne.

“Now we know people are safe, the City is past the emergency rescue phase, and roads are clear, our top priority has shifted to helping our citizens clean up a tremendous amount of downed trees and vegetation debris,” said Mayor Cortez. “Your City staff are actively serving the public the best they can while also planning the best way to finish the clean-up in an efficient manner. I am incredibly proud of City staff, community members, and volunteers who have stepped up to begin this clean-up effort. When nature makes a mess, this community rolls up its sleeves and gets to work. Ad omnia parata. Together, we are ready for anything!”

Tree Damage/Vegetation Clean-Up Plan and How You Can Help:

• INSURANCE: If your property is insured, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance company may give you specific instructions regarding how to document your claim, clean up, and recover the costs of clean-up. NOTE: This will be the fastest way for you to ensure your property is cleaned up quickly.

• VEGETATION DROP-OFF: The City has opened the FREE Tree Limb and Foliage Drop-Off Facility at 1702 N. Schifferdecker Ave. It is open daily, Monday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, May 19. PLEASE DO NOT leave tree limbs at the gate of the facility if arriving after the facility has closed for the day. This is for tree limbs and foliage only. Building and construction debris will not be accepted at this site.

• DON’T PUT VEGETATION IN STREETS: Please DO NOT move tree limbs into the streets. Our crews have already cleared the streets and cannot continue to do this as we need to move on to the next phases of clean-up. You may stack debris at the curb or along the street (out of the street and off of sidewalks but within public right-of-way) so long as you are not blocking drainage areas or access to utilities which Liberty Utilities, Spire Gas, Missouri American Water, or the City may need to access.

• COUNCIL TO DECIDE NEXT STEPS: The City Council will discuss the next phases of the vegetation clean-up plan during the Monday, May 13 work session. The remaining phases of the plan may come with significant costs to the City and could delay other operations. The council will discuss the best way to balance normal operations, clean up remaining tree limbs and foliage over the next couple of months, and how to manage the costs associated with these efforts. The City’s clean-up process may last multiple months, which is why going through your insurance is the best way to ensure your property is cleaned quickly.

• YOU MAY BURN TREE AND VEGETATION PILES: The Joplin Fire Department has lifted the burn ban within Joplin city limits effective now through May 25, 2024. The City will not require a fee or a burn permit for these burns during this time. To determine if the fire department allows burning on that day (according to weather conditions), please call 417-623-0403 and give the address of the planned burn to Fire Department officials. Only residential vegetative material allowed:  tree branches and leaves may be burned in piles that are less than six (6) feet in diameter by four (4) foot high.

• VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE: Those unable to move their own tree limbs (elderly, disabled, etc.) may call the City’s Planning, Development and Neighborhood Services to request assistance by volunteers at 417-624-0820, ext. 1542 or 1539.

• SMALL LIMBS TRASH REMOVAL: For smaller, manageable amounts of debris, Joplin residents may place tree limbs with their trash on the regular trash pick-up day with Republic Services. Limbs should be cut to a maximum of four feet and tied in a bundle that weighs no more than 50 pounds. The diameter of each tree limb cannot be larger than four inches.

City Manager Nick Edwards says, “We are grateful to the community for jumping into action already, and we recognize this as an opportunity for the City to step up and provide a high quality of service to our citizens. We are proud to serve you and thank all those volunteering to help their neighbors.”

MORE INFO: For more information on general storm clean-up, call the City of Joplin at 417-624-0820, ext. 1564, 1566, or 1204, or visit the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org/storm-clean-up