The damaged caused by the June 29th storm will take us several months to clean-up and repair. The storm not only caused power to go out for more than 70,000 Fort Wayne residents, it destroyed cars and damaged many buildings and homes throughout the City.
After assessing the initial damage, I asked our County Commissioners to declare a State of Emergency for our area, as one of the first steps towards seeking federal assistance.
If you had storm damage to your property, please take the time to report that damage to the State of Indiana's Department of Homeland Security at www.in.gov/dhs/. Click on the link "Report Damage from Severe Weather June 29, 2012", in the middle of the page. So far, more than 100 reports have been filed by local residents – and it's important for more residents to report their damage to the State.
Many trees and branches were scattered throughout our streets and neighborhoods and in an effort to give residents a faster way of disposing of the debris we've established tree and brush drop off sites:
• Parking Lot at Swinney Park Pool
• Parking Lot at the Conklin Pavilion at Shoaff Park
• Tillman Dump, which is west of the park entrance on Tillman Road
• City Biosolids Facility on Lake Avenue near Maplecrest Road
Additionally, over the next several weeks, City crews will pick-up debris that is placed at the curb – but not in the streets or in the alley. Curbside debris pick-up is not part of regular residential garbage pick-up. Crews from the Street and Parks departments, along with contracted tree companies, will pick up curbside debris.
A color-coded map is posted on the City's website, showing residents the status of debris collection in their area. Residents should consult this map to know when to place debris at the curb, www.cityoffortwayne.org.