HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8405 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8405
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 14, 2002
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SUBJECT: Update of Tornado Assistance Efforts
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As you know, on Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at 5:45 p.m., the first of four (4) tornadoes, struck
parts of Fort Worth, with most of the devastating damages occurring in the southeast Carver
Heights/Jean Capers Addition and Handley neighborhoods. Since that time the City of Fort
Worth has attempted to assist with the recovery efforts, beginning with the initial responses
from the Development, Parks and Community Services, Transportation/ Public Works, Fire
and Police Departments.
On Saturday and Sunday, April 20th and 21St, 2002, a tent was erected, in a small shopping
center parking lot, at Ramey Avenue and S. E. Loop 820. City staff from Development,
Emergency Management Office, Health Outreach, Housing (additional staff available at Fire
Station # 24 in Handley) and Parks and Community Services, were accessible to the residents
at this temporary onsite "Disaster Assistance Center" from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days.
The Mobile Police Store Front had been located at that location, twenty-four hours a day,
since Tuesday, April 16tH, immediately following the storm.
In addition to City staff, Gloria Reeves, the Coordinator for the Volunteer Organizations Active
in Disasters (VOAD), was available to assign volunteers to assist homeowners in any way
possible. VOAD was formed following the tornado of 2000 by faith-based, social services
agencies, the Emergency Management Office and other City Departments, to collaboratively
assist Tarrant County residents impacted by disasters. Also present on Saturday, was a
mobile unit from the Salvation Army providing snacks, water and soft drinks to residents and
workers. The American Red Cross had a number of volunteers moving throughout the
neighborhood assisting in the removal of debris, cleaning and a variety of other activities. The
Grace Outreach Church, located just south of the neighborhood, has continued to provide
food and water to all volunteers in addition to offering clothing and shelter to the residents
since April 17tH
The following is an update of more specific information as it relates to City efforts as of
Wednesday, May 8, 2002:
• Saturday, April 20, 2002 - Tornado Disaster Relief Workshop for residences, Holy
Tabernacle COGIC
• Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - Tornado Disaster Relief Workshop for businesses, Economic
and Community Development Department (collaboration with Fort Worth Chamber of
Commerce, Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Historic Handley Development
Corp., Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.) Handley/Meadowbrook Community Center
➢ 50+ businesses affected
➢ 18 vendors present to provide services
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8405
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 14, 2002
Page 2 of 3
a
r SUBJECT: Update of Tornado Assistance Efforts
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• Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - Participated in a Carver Heights, Neighborhood Empowerment
Zone meeting, Martin Luther King Community Center
• Saturday, April 27, 2002 - Provided tent, tables, chairs, etc., for VOAD to conduct a house-
to-house assessment of the mental health and social services needs of residents
➢ 280 homes visited
• Ongoing— Damages and Insurance Assessments by Housing Department
➢ Total # of Homes Assessed 327
➢ Destroyed or Recommended for Demolition 6
➢ Recommended for Major Rehabilitation 3
➢ Major Damage 75
➢ Minor Damage 134
➢ No Damage 108
➢ Unknown (homeowner would not provide info.) 1
• Ongoing- Continued collaboration with VOAD to serve as an advocate for specific issues
related to residents and as a resource for volunteers. Established account to receive
monetary donations to assist with needs of tornado victims:
Tornado 2002 Fund
P.O. Box 470831
Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Ongoing — To date, Development has issued the following types of permits at no charge
(the waiver is for 90 calendar days, which ends July 15, 2002):
➢ Building- 11
➢ Electrical 2
➢ Plumbing 1
➢ Gas 1
• Saturday, May 25, 2002, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.-Intake and Assessment related to other needs of
residents, by the Parks and Community Services, Neighborhood Resources Development
Program staff, Martin Luther King Community Center. The Housing Department and other
agencies will be invited to have staff available.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8405
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 14, 2002
utPage 3 of 3
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SUBJECT: Update of Tornado Assistance Efforts
• Saturday, June 1, 2002, Neighborhood Housing Services of Fort Worth and Tarrant
County, Inc. and Washington Mutual, will have workers on Felder Lane and Debra Court,
painting, mowing, repairing window screens, planting shrubs and general cleaning.
• Saturday, June 1, 2002, VOAD will have volunteer groups in the neighborhood
repairing/replacing roofs on homes identified by Housing Department staff. The City of Fort
Worth will provide a tent and staging area.
• Application submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs by the
Parks and Community Services Department for $30,000 from the Emergency
Nutrition/Temporary Emergency Relief Program (ENTERP) to assist income eligible
household with replacement of some essential low-cost household items.
• Ongoing - Governmental Relations Office is maintaining continual contact with State and
Federal Legislative Offices concerning the status of the needs related to the storm damage
in Fort Worth.
City staff is continuing to work with families and businesses to ensure that their questions and
concerns are addressed. Should you have any questions, please contact Joe Paniagua,
Assi6tC' Manager.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS