City of Wyoming Releases Statement on Weather Relief Efforts
Cleanup and repairs continue following the tornado that struck south of Grand Rapids on Sunday night.
The City of Wyoming released a statement this afternoon which updates their weather relief efforts.
The EF-1 tornado injured six people and damaged dozens of homes.
Today, the City of Wyoming provided an update on cleanup efforts, power outages, parks closings, shelters, and more.
The statement says:
Repair and restoration efforts continue in the Wyoming neighborhood affected by Sunday’s EF1 tornado, which remains hazardous as power and communication lines and damaged tree limbs continue to fall and other storm debris still block some streets.
Numerous agencies and businesses are continuing efforts to make the areas safe for residents. Community members who are not residents or do not need to immediately access their homes are asked to avoid the area, as vehicular and pedestrian traffic has continued to impede restoration work.
The Wyoming Public Safety department is continuing to perform increased patrols of the 50+ homes and 5-10 businesses in the neighborhood bordered by Clay Avenue, 56th Street and Division Avenue. Residents will be asked for identification to show that they live in the area before they will be allowed through street barricades.
City of Wyoming Public Works crews are working to clear remaining tree debris from streets.
Consumers Energy is working to secure and restore poles and power lines. Representatives from Consumers Energy estimate approximately 160 customers are still without power. Power is expected to be restored to the area by 4 p.m.
City inspectors will continue to inspect buildings and electrical service to ensure they are fit for occupancy and for power to be restored. Consumers Energy must return power to the area before individual structures will be inspected to determine if power can be restored safely.
Ideal Park will remain closed until further notice. Work crews continue to monitor and clean catch basins, drains and Buck Creek to prevent backups.
Residents who need shelter or other assistance can access one of two stations now open in Wyoming:
- The Salvation Army has established a temporary aid station at the Ideal Park Christian Reformed Church at 320 56th Street SW.
- The American Red Cross has established a shelter at the Kentwood Activity Center at 355 48th Street SE.
Any resident needing shelter assistance can call the Red Cross hotline at 616.899.4511. For non-emergency public safety needs, residents can call the Wyoming Public Safety Department at 616.530.7300. Other city services and requests will be handled through Wyoming City hall at 616.530.7272.
The Department of Public Safety warns residents to be cautious when dealing with anyone unknown or unofficial who approaches door-to-door requesting information or asking for money upfront to do repair work. Be sure to get proper identification before answering questions or writing a check. City employees will be clearly identifiable by their automobiles, clothing and identification badges.
Public Works is asking Wyoming residents in the affected neighborhood with downed trees or tree limbs to neatly pile the debris behind the sidewalk so they are not obstructing blocking vehicles and utility repair crews. Yard waste may be delivered to the City of Wyoming Yard Waste Drop Off site at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Starting Monday for the next two weeks, Public Works crews will be picking up brush in the neighborhood bordered by Clay Avenue, 56th Street and Division Avenue only.
For further information, visit the City website at www.wyomingmi.gov. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming, and on Twitter @WyomingCityHall.
More From 100.5 FM The River
