Message from Rick Davis

Garland County Judge Rick Davis released the following statement:

“We are aware of the extreme damages throughout Garland County and have been working with State officials to determine the most direct approach and properly disposing of all vegetative waste from recent tornadoes. I ask for your patience as we execute proper plans to ensure the overall safety of response personnel, work crews and residents.

I am involved in ongoing meetings with my department heads, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, ADEQ, and Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, ADEM, to provide proper documentation, seek permits and approval for sites and methods to properly manage storm related debris. While this takes time, it is imperative that these tasks be completed correctly and in accordance with state and federal laws.

I will be announcing the schedule for curbside pickup shortly. This information will be released to our local media for public dissemination so that you will have advanced notice of when we will be in your area. In these passes we will be concentrating on trees, limbs and other vegetative debris located on private property and brought to the street side for removal. Keep in mind we will be picking up only vegetative storm debris. More information regarding debris from structures and other white metals resulting from recent tornadoes will be attended to after additional permitting is completed.”

ADEM is operating a Call Center for anyone with damages to their primary residence. This number is staffed from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to call the following number to get in the loop for FEMA or state resources. Reporting damages is one of the most important steps toward disaster recovery. Call 1-888-683-2336.