City of Joplin continues storm clean up effort

(From the City of Joplin)

As crews move through the community to conduct a sweeping tree limb and foliage cleanup effort, the City of Joplin continues to pair residents in need of assistance with storm cleanup volunteers and organizations.

It has been one month since the storm that brought severe straight-line winds through the region. Earlier this week, City and contracted crews began moving through Joplin neighborhoods to collect foliage, limbs, and tree pieces. This effort is expected to last several weeks. 

Residents have been guided to put tree limbs and foliage debris at their curbside, as City crews will not enter yards or alleys to collect this vegetation. But some Joplin residents are still in need of help when it comes to collecting foliage from their property and moving it to the curbside.

Thomas Walters manages the City of Joplin’s programs that connect residents in need with organizations and individuals interested in providing their assistance. Since June 14, he has received nearly 40 requests from property owners for assistance with storm cleanup. Walters connected many of those individuals to churches and volunteer organizations but says several remain on the list. 

Because the cleanup effort by the City and its contractor will only pass through neighborhoods once, Walters said some individuals would benefit from having volunteers with a trailer (as the foliage could need to be taken to the City’s tree limb disposal site at 1701 N. Schifferdecker).

“Some people get help from their churches or neighbors, but that isn’t the case for everyone,” Walters said. “When people don’t know who to call, they call the City. We have connected people with places that are good about repeatedly providing help, but those organizations can’t always answer every call. There is a need for more volunteers and organizations to assist.”