BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Tornadoes on May 26 left immeasurable debris in the homes of thousands across Northwest Arkansas. The community is still working to pick up what they can, but with widespread damage, many are still waiting on crews to haul off more oversized items.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) offers guidelines to help the public appropriately remove storm debris from their homes while waiting. These guidelines aim to make the process faster and safer for everyone.
FEMA said the first thing to do is to separate the debris into the following categories:
- Large appliances: refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, ovens, etc.
- Construction debris: building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing, etc.
- Vegetative debris: tree branches, leaves, logs, plants, etc.
- Hazardous waste: oil, battery, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Electronics: TVs, computers, laptops, stereos, phones, DVD players, etc.
These items should be placed on the curbside for crews to pick up.
What to avoid:
- FEMA said residents should "never touch, cut, remove, or place debris on downed lines." This is life-threatening and can cause injury or damage.
- Placing debris "near or on trees, poles or other structures," such as fire hydrants and meters, makes it hard to remove, FEMA said.
- Moreover, placing debris near utility boxes or lines can also be dangerous as it can "cause injury or damage," according to FEMA.
FEMA reminds the public not to block roadways or access to their property with debris so crews can get through safely. For those who plan on removing debris on their own, here's a list of places to take it in Benton County.
For more information on debris removal in Benton County, click here.
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