Mayfield-Graves Co. Response Crews Prepare For Rain

MAYFIELD, Ky.–  The Regional Emergency Operations Center anticipates a chance of substantial rainfall over the next two days.  Rainfall amounts have created a sense of urgency as crews attempt to place tarps on homes that have roof damage and board up windows where needed.

There is also concern that storm debris will block storm drains to create localized flooding.

The effort to clear debris from roadways and sidewalks to make them passable for tornado response efforts is about 90 percent complete.   Every effort should be made to keep roadways and sidewalks clear of debris.

Do not push tree limbs and other debris to the curb or edge of the pavement.  Crews will push the debris back onto private property to assure that fire trucks and other emergency vehicles will have access throughout Mayfield and Graves County.

There will be an opportunity at a later date for FEMA approved debris disposal efforts.

Mayfield Electric and Water also reminds residents and businesses to avoid covering water meters.  If a water meter is covered with debris and a leak develops it will block access to the valve.

Homeowners who are using equipment to move debris should avoid driving over and breaking the water meter cover.  An uncovered meter is subject to freezing.

Graves County is in immediate need for specific items:

• Generators
• NEW red gas and yellow diesel cans. Used cans will not be accepted.
• Electric and propane heaters
• Extension cords (15-100 ft.)
• Power strips
• Tarps

Please donate only the specific items at the warehouse located at 1 General Street, Mayfield, KY, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (The old General Tire location). Donations will not be accepted at any of the POD locations. No other items will be accepted at the present time. Do not donate any clothing.

Donations from outside of Mayfield should be coordinated through the Graves County EOC by phone 270-883-0072 or email Mayfielddonations@gmail.com.

Monetary donations may be directed to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund at www.TeamWKYReliefFund.KY.gov.

Groups with volunteers may contact the Tornado Volunteer Hotline at 270-216-0903 or email their information to Mayfieldvolunteers@gmail.com.  Additional donations will be needed once processing and warehousing facilities are developed.

For more detailed information about supply drop-off points please see our postings about ongoing recovery efforts posted at https://www.facebook.com/Graves-County-Office-of-Emergency-Management.

Photo: Free tarps available at the Graves Co. Fairgrounds. Steven Elder photo.