By Emily Banks Wooten
[email protected]
Flood impacts along the Trinity River have improved to the point that on Tuesday, the Polk County Office of Emergency Management fully rescinded the mandatory evacuation order issued on April 29 for residents residing in the unincorporated areas of Polk County below the Lake Livingston Dam and along the Trinity River.
“Please check with your utility providers for information and instructions. Remember to document damage for your insurance purposes,” County Judge Sydney Murphy said.
“Please report storm damage to your homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. iSTAT surveys can be filled out in English and Spanish by visiting https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/ and clicking “April 26-Ongoing Severe Weather Event.” Be sure to upload photos of interior damage to your home or business including any flood level waterlines,” Murphy said, emphasizing, “Survey information aids officials in determining whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance.”
Center of Hope Disaster Response, located at 600 S. Washington in Livingston, has extended its hours for flood survivors. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days of week and will be distributing food, water, clothing, flood clean-up kits and other services as needed. The phone number is 936-327-7634.
Polk County Recovers, located at 602 E. Church St. in Livingston, assists with long-term recovery. The phone number is 936-933-2735. Polk County Recovers can assist with iSTAT damage reports and cleanup assistance requests.
“All East Texas Residents need to be aware that your local elected officials cannot utilize ‘public, tax-payers funds’ to repair private property, which includes driveways, roads and culverts/bridges. Every property owners’ association with private roads needs to start researching the options available to them and to their homeowners. Polk County stands ready to assist in locating other options and providing information to every subdivision and resident that was impacted by the flooding event,” Emergency Management Coordinator Courtney Comstock said.
“Polk County Emergency Management, Center of Hope and the Polk County Recovers teams are currently working on assessing the damage and gathering information for assisting local homeowners and businesses. Please contact Polk County Recovers or the Center of Hope for assistance in recovery efforts. They are prepared to help homeowners and businesses with the starting phases of clean-up and debris removal. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has been engaged in the assessment of damages, along with planning for recovery efforts. Please document everything, so that your recovery will go more smoothly,” Comstock said.
In an effort to expedite the debris removal process, local citizens are asked to follow these debris removal guidelines for private residential properties. Debris should be separated into the following categories – large appliances, construction debris, vegetative debris, hazardous waste and electronics.
Large appliances include refrigerators, washer/dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, dishwashers. Do not leave doors unsealed or unsecured.
Construction debris includes building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture and plumbing.
Vegetative debris includes tree branches, leaves, logs and plants.
Hazardous waste includes oil, batteries, pesticides, paint and cleaning supplies.
Electronics includes televisions, computers, stereos, phones and DVD players.
Debris should be placed curbside, away from trees, poles or other structures, and should not block the roadway or access to the property.
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