Work continues around county as officials await word from FEMA

Clay County officials continue to await word from representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following a survey of the area a week ago.

According to Clay County Judge Gary Howell, two FEMA representatives toured much of Clay County Tuesday, Feb. 10, in order to determine what types of assistance the county, and individual residents, will be eligible to receive.

Since that time, Howell said he has had no further contact with FEMA officials.

"I really expected them to be here today," Howell said Tuesday. "We were hoping to meet with them as soon as we could and find out where we stand."

Though FEMA's response remains unclear at this time, Howell said county crews have been working constantly to make headway in their effort to clear the county's gravel roads. With many of the roads clear, the county crews now are focusing on removing hanging limbs.

"We're going out in the basket truck and cutting hangers," Howell said.

He noted the hanging limbs pose a danger of not only clogging roadways, but also striking vehicles or, in worst cases, people, passing underneath.

"They're dangerous," Howell said of hanging limbs. "We're clearing them out as fast as we can."

The county is taking all the limbs it removes for disposal to the county's gravel pit just off the Titanic Road near Crockett. The area is allocated for use as a controlled burning zone by the Environmental Protection Agency. These limbs include those gathered in nearby towns, such as Rector, Piggott and Greenway, as well as those from gravel roads.

"It's been a mess," Howell said. "We've been working hard, and it's getting better, but there's still a lot of work to do. We're just going out every day and doing as much as we can."