City continues efforts to remove storm debris

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
October 6, 2004
Work to clear 4,167 tons of Hurricane Ivan debris piled high at various Meridian street corners and city rights-of-way could begin as soon as next week, city officials said Tuesday.
City officials are expected to receive bids until 11 a.m. today from prospective contractors to clear the debris which consists primarily of trees and limbs that Ivan knocked down last month.
A group of volunteers also is available for elderly and disabled residents who have piles of debris around their homes that need to be removed but aren't placed on city rights-of-way.
A disaster relief hotline has been set up for those residents who need assistance. People can call 484-6899 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Friday.
Work done by volunteers will be free.
Meridian, however, will pay 12.5 percent of the cost to remove debris from its rights-of-way. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay 75 percent and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will pay 12.5 percent.
Mayor John Robert Smith said he never expected a hurricane to strike his city. And while there always is a contingency built into the city's budget, he said, "I wouldn't say there's a hurricane plan in the budget."
Meridian, along with Lauderdale County and community service organizations, has a disaster relief hotline for elderly and disabled residents who need help cleaning debris from Hurricane Ivan.
Residents can call 484-6899 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Friday. Any churches or other community service organizations that want to volunteer to help clear debris also should call the hotline. Fredie Carmichael