Need to Know (May 6): Volunteer staging area moved; courthouse info

Published 10:23 am Thursday, May 5, 2011

‰ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

— Mobile Disaster Relief Center is set up in the parking lot near Walgreens on U.S. Highway 31 South below King Edward Street (Market Platz) for storm victims to register with the Federal Agency.

— Disaster Relief Center workers are canvassing Cullman County

— FEMA representatives wear FEMA shirts and carrying photo IDs.  

— Every individual with damage or any kind of loss should call 1.800.621.3362 or register at www.disasterassistance.gov (includes physical damage, loss wages, injuries, repair materials, purchases, anything storm related).

— Businesses should call the Small Business Administration (SBA) at 800.659.2955 for assistance.  SBA can assist businesses, individuals, and non-profits (including churches).  

— For Disaster Un-employment Assistance, call 866.234.5382 or visit their website at www.dir.alabama.gov.  

— All individuals and businesses must register with FEMA within 60 days of Disaster Declaration.

— FEMA assistance includes insured, under-insured and non-insured situations.

— Keep all receipts associated with any repairs or purchases.

— Damaged properties should take photos to help document loses for FEMA and Insurance.  

‰ Shelters & Help:

— The Volunteer Registration Center is at the Cullman Fair Grounds located at Sportsman Lake Road, NW. If you have any questions you can contact United Way at 256.739.2948 or Donnie Riley at 256.734.5190.  Sign up for Volunteer Assistance and to Volunteer.  This is for City and County residents 

— If you need trees removed from private property, you must go to the Cullman County Fairgrounds and sign a waiver which will allow volunteers to access your property.  

— American Red Cross is moving to the Cullman County Fair Ground, Building #1 on Wednesday.  They will be providing shelter and food

— Non-perishable donations items are being accepted at Building #4 at the Cullman County Fairgrounds.  

— Cullman Caring for Kids (402 Arnold Street) is accepting Baby items (diapers, food, formula, etc.).  They also have water available.  

— DayStar Church at Good Hope is accepting all forms of donations (including clothing, furniture, food, etc.)

— Cullman Wellness & Aquatics Center will be open for normal hours on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.  Showers will be open to the public at no charge.  

— Numerous groups are cooking meals for the public at the Fair Grounds and churches.

— St. Andrews Methodist Church on West Main has food for distribution into County through Volunteer Fire Departments.  Contact: 256.339.8532.  Open 9 a.m.  – 6 p.m. daily.  Also accepting food donations.  

— NARCOG has Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) for distribution through Sheriff Deputies.  If you know of someone who is in need contact the Sheriff’s Office at 256.734.0342.

— Cullman Regional Medical Center continues to provide quality care for area residents and is open 24/7 for emergencies.  The hospital has returned to normal business operations. To contact the medical center please call 256-737-2000.      

— If you need boxes, pick up at MidSouth Packaging Warehouse at  419 3rd Avenue West Cullman, AL on Wednesday, May 04, 2011.

— If you need to let people know you are okay or if you want to find someone, visit Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/safeandwell to register.  

 ‰ Electricity:

— Power service continues to improve, but TVA is cautioning conservation. Heavy use could case outages. 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. are key times to conserve. 

— Power is being restored to critical areas first.

— If the conduit / weather head to your home/business has been damaged, you should contact your electrician to make the necessary repairs on the private owner side to be ready when power is at your home.  

— Treat all downed power lines as “live and dangerous” and report any downed lines to the appropriate authorities.

— 90% + of City’s electric service has been restored.

 ‰ Contractors working in the City of Cullman must have: Contractors license; business license; liability insurance; demolition permits are required and are being issued at Cullman City Hall.

— Cullman City Hall will verify Business License of Contractors.  Call 256.775.7109.

— To report suspected Price Gouging call the Alabama Attorney General’s hotline at 1-800-392-5658 or go on line at www.ago.alabama.gov.

— Contractors wanting to be added to City Bid List, provide information to Kim at Cullman City Hall.

— All workers (contractors, volunteers, etc.) must visit City Hall to obtain pass and business license to enter barricaded areas.

‰ Debris Removal:

— All debris is to be taken to Cullman County Landfill, 256.287.0487.

— Must be separated (as required by ADEM & EPA): Limbs and tree debris will be charged at one rate; building materials with possible contaminants will be charged at a higher rate.  It is recommended to wet down these materials before moving. The City of Cullman is providing water sources for contractors to use in the damaged areas.  If there is not one available, call City Hall at 256.775.7109.

— All people working in the ground zero areas are encouraged to wear masks, gloves, and protective eyewear.  

— Do not push construction debris into the street. Trying to clear the streets for utility access.

‰ Safety Precautions for Private and Public Workers:

— Masks, gloves, hard hats, and safety glasses are proven to reduce injury and health risks.  

— Safety masks are available for free at the City Police Command Station at 2nd Avenue and Highway 278 Intersection.

‰ Courthouse;

— Tag Department is open.

— Property Tax Department is open.

— Delinquent Tax Auction has been postponed until further notice.  

— All other offices are closed until further notice.  

 ‰ City Hall:

— City Hall hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through Friday, May 6, 2011.

— All departments are open.  

‰ Water is safe to consume & supply is adequate to meet needs.

‰ NO CURFEW in downtown Cullman, only place this applies is in barricaded areas from dusk to dawn.  

‰ Cullman County DOES have a curfew from dusk to dawn.  However, essential travel is allowed (this includes reporting to work).

‰ City of Cullman is currently under a NO BURN ORDER.

‰ For the General Public needing to dispose of spoiled refrigerated items, there will be roll-off dumpsters set up on the north side of Depot Park, West Elementary, and Civic Center.  

‰ Cullman City and Cullman County Schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, May 9, 2011. 

‰ Street names and numbers have been painted on pavement at intersections. 

‰ Permits are required to enter affected areas in downtown Cullman.  Can be obtained at city hall.

 Emergency phone numbers:

‰ Cullman County EMA: 256.739.5410

‰ FEMA: 800.621.3362

‰ Call Before You Dig: 800.292.8525

‰ City of Cullman: 256.775.7109

‰ Cullman County Commission: 256.775.4878

‰ City of Cullman Police Dept: 256.734.1434

‰ Cullman Co Sheriff:   256.734.0342

‰ Cullman Co Road Dept:  256.796.2266

‰ Cullman County Land Fill:  256.287.0487

‰ Cullman City Sanitation:  256.737.7560

‰ Cullman City Street Dept:  256.775.8441

‰ Cullman City Water Dept:   256.772.7210

‰ Cullman City Risk Mgr:  256.775.7130

‰ Cullman Power Board:  256.734.2343

‰ Cullman Electric Cooperative: 256.737.3200

‰ Cullman Jefferson Gas:  256.734.1911

‰ Gas leak: 256.734.0565

‰ City of Cullman Dispatch: 256.775.7145

‰ Red Cross: 800.733.2767