Monroe County tornado debris cleanup expected to begin early June

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – It was one month ago Monday that tornadoes tore through parts of Northeast Mississippi.

Monroe County was hit especially hard, with one fatality, and a lot of damage to homes and businesses, along with downed trees and power lines.  Now, county officials are one stop closer to getting it all cleaned up.

The day after two tornadoes hit Monroe County, Road Manager Sonny Clay, District Three Supervisor Chip Chism and other county leaders were focused on getting everything in order for what promised to be a massive cleanup.

“Trying to reach out to MEMA, FEMA , our governmental leaders, state and congressional leaders, to get a declaration,” said Clay.

That federal disaster declaration is expected to be signed soon by President Donald Trump.  In the meantime, supervisors have asked for proposals from contractors to clean up the debris left behind.

Government regulations dictate where certain types of debris must be taken.

“All electronics, will be separated out, phones, computers, all white goods,  appliances and all separated out, as well as any hazardous waste,  all three of those categories taken to landfill in Pontotoc,” said Clay.

Construction and demolition debris will go to the Monroe County landfill.

There is so much debris that for the first time since the Smithville tornado the Department of Environmental Quality will allow some of the debris to be burned.

It will save landfill space and taxpayer dollars.

“Because of damage, not just here in Monroe County, but all across the state, there’s 40 or 50 counties in the same boat we are, if all this debris had to hauled to landfills, you are just looking at additional expense to taxpayers, having to buy more land, being able to burn it will save a lot more space in all of our landfills, not just Monroe County,” said Clay.

Each load of debris must be weighed by the contractor, and while there are a lot of regulations, Supervisor Chism said all agencies have worked efficiently.

“They have been great, all of them have and I appreciate the people coming together and working like they have done.”

Supervisors will open the bids May 24. It will take them a few days to review the proposals.

Cleanup could begin by early June and the contractor will have 90 days to complete the job.

The estimated cost for the cleanup is 2.5 to 3 million dollars.  The county will pick up 12.5% of the total cost.