The water has receded and things are starting to return to normal for most people in Orange County. Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Peabody stated of the 200 persons evacuated to the shelter at the Montagne Center there are still 55 that need a shelter. Monday the remaining evacuees were moved to a church in downtown Orange as a shelter until they are able to return to their homes.
Road and Bridge Engineer Clark Slacum reported that over 60,000 sand bags were distributed by the county precinct barns to citizens during the flooding. More than 80 percent of those went to residents in Precinct 1.
County Judge Brint Carlton indicated citizens can start getting assistance from FEMA beginning Monday. Carlton said FEMA will setup their operation initially at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center parking lot on FM 1402. Regional Disaster Centers will be setup later in affected areas closer to where the flood actually occurred.
Certain precautions and steps are recommended by Judge Carlton for people cleaning up their properties as they return home. Carlton warned people to lookout for wildlife especially snakes that may have got into their property from the flood waters. Gather serial numbers, receipts and take photos of damaged items as proof when preparing to get reimbursement from FEMA and insurance companies.
The judge said the county will begin having cleanup crews coming to neighborhoods to dispose of debris in the next week or so. Debris should be put in two piles by the curb, but not in the street. One pile is for construction and demolition debris including white items like refrigerators, the other pile is for green or vegetative debris.
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