UPDATE: City Releases Summary on Storm Cleanup

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The City of San Angelo has issued a summary of updated information related to Saturday's Tornado damage and cleanup: 

According to COSA Public Information Officer Anthony Wilson, strong to severe thunderstorms are likely early Tuesday in San Angelo. Citizens are advised to keep a cell phone nearby with the ringer on to receive emergency alerts, information and instructions. Phones’ settings should be enabled to receive emergency alerts. Alerts will also be posted at cosatx.us and on the City of San Angelo and San Angelo Police Department’s social media channels. For those without a cell phone, weather radios are suggested.

Should you suffer a power outage or downed trees, do not call 9-1-1 or non-emergency dispatch. Lines must be kept open for true emergencies. Power outages can be reported to AEP, the local electric provider, 325-657-2704.

Volunteers age 18 and older are needed to help remove storm debris from the Bradford neighborhood, which suffered the worst damage. Cleanup efforts will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday. Volunteers should report to the Foster Communications Coliseum parking lot, 50 E. 43rd St., to be bused by the Concho Valley Council of Governments to the work site. Buses will run from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday at regular intervals. Volunteers should wear pants, long sleeves, boots or sturdy shoes, hats, gloves and sunscreen. Meals and drinks will be provided by San Angelo’s two H-E-B stores. Volunteers must sign in and out, and will be asked to sign a release. That will occur at Bradford Elementary School on Tuesday and at the coliseum on Wednesday.

With the exception of tarps, donations are not needed at the work site. A list of needs will be updated Tuesday.

Bradford residents should place debris and damaged items on their front curbs for pickup and disposal. The general public must avoid the neighborhood unless they are residents or volunteers so as not to interfere with the efforts of City and AEP work crews. Public access to the area north of 22nd Street between Poe and Main streets is restricted to residents and property owners only between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. for the immediate future. Residents of homes deemed by the City’s building official to be uninhabitable must leave the area by 8 p.m. Residents of homes that are still in livable condition may stay on their properties, but cannot be off their property after 8 p.m. Police officers will be patrolling the area and actively enforcing the order. 

Homeowners who suffered damage should contact their insurance companies and document all damage. 

Two sites are available for citizens to drop off brush and construction debris: 

The Lake Operations facility at 2301 Fisherman's Road (the corner of Fisherman's and Knickerbocker roads).

In the parking lot at Foster Communications Coliseum, 50 E. 43rd St.

San Angelo Stadium is NOT a designated drop-off site.

Drop-off areas are marked with orange traffic barrels. Brush and construction debris, which will be disposed of differently, must be put in separate piles at the drop-off sites.

Bulk trash pickup may be delayed this week as Republic Services assists in the removal of storm debris. Limbs will be collected as part of customers’ bulk pickup, if they are bundled in 4-foot lengths. Construction materials are not eligible for bulk pickup. Customers should leave bulk items where they normally do for collection; Republic will gather them as soon as it can.

Republic is providing two local numbers for customers to request a roll-off container for storm debris: 325-234-0127 and 325-267-9930.

If a homeowner cannot transport limbs and damaged shrubbery, that vegetation should be left on the front curb. Please do not push or leave debris in the street. City Street and Bridge crews will be collecting limbs left on curbs, though that work will continue for several weeks.

The local chapter of the Red Cross has established a temporary shelter has been established at First United Methodist Church, 37 E. Beauregard Ave. In lieu of donating items, the Red Cross suggests a monetary donation to its organization.

The San Angelo Area Foundation has established a San Angelo Disaster Relief Fund to accept monetary donations to assist storm victims. The foundation will cover all credit card fees, ensuring 100 percent of donations are used to help victims. Contributions may be made at saafound.org.

The City Council on Tuesday will consider a resolution approving the following: 

Waiving late fees on water bills for 30 days for any charges occurring after May 18 for customers who live north of 22nd Street between Main and Poe streets. Other requests will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Waiving the fee for 30 days to redeem a stray animal at the Animal Shelter and extending the hold period for strays to June 4.

An emergency contract with Compact Conservation and Construction to chip and manage brush debris.

The expenditure of up to $250,000 from the fund balance of the Solid Waste Fund for fees and services related to storm recovery.

Waiving permit fees for six months for repairs to storm-damaged structures. Building permits will be required for work done, including building repairs and mechanical, electrical or plumbing work, but no fees will be charged for those permits. 

Any construction-related work in the city, unless done directly by the homeowner, must be performed by a contractor licensed with the Building Permits and Inspections Division. Licensing ensures contractors meet state and local standards for their trade and helps provide consumer protections. For more information or to learn if a contractor is licensed with the City, call Permits and Inspections at 325-657-4210.

The City expresses its thanks to those who have volunteered their time, talents and treasures to help neighbors in their time of need. That includes volunteers from H-E-B and Home Depot, both of which are contributing manpower and materials. Home Depot is busing 120 of its associates from the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Wednesday to assist with the cleanup, and has donated tarps, plywood, hammers, nails, rakes, shovels and gloves. Similarly, H-E-B employees are helping remove debris and will be feeding volunteers and neighborhood residents. Both of San Angelo’s H-E-B stores have donated food, drinks, sunscreen, insect repellant and first-aid kits.

“While this is a time of great sadness for the Bradford area, it is gratifying to see San Angeloans, including our corporate citizens, rally to help their neighbors in need,” Mayor Brenda Gunter said. “San Angelo is not only a great city; it is a strong community. Thank you to all who are contributing in whatever ways they can to help their fellow citizens.”