Storm response, recovery cost tops $1.5M so far

SUFFOLK

The cost of the emergency response and recovery effort following last week's tornado has surpassed $1.5 million, according to the first official accounting.

The figure, released Wednesday in a report to the City Council, takes into account costs incurred only through Monday, so it will continue to rise. M ore than 7,000 tons of debris have been removed from affected areas, and it's estimated that 3,000 to 5,000 tons remain, Deputy City Manager Scott Mills said.

Budget Officer Anne Seward told council members she will work with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to try to get some of the expenses reimbursed.

"This was a major effort by the city, and we don't expect that it will be covered in whole," she said.

The tornado destroyed 49 homes and four businesses when it struck the afternoon of April 28. About 90 additional homes suffered major damage.

In all, 486 structures were hit, causing nearly $29.8 million in damage, according to the report. That figure does not include damage to vehicles or contents in homes, Mills said.

Outside jurisdictions, many of which contributed assistance through mutual aid agreements, have incurred expenses totaling $166,000, Seward said.

The report also detailed the outpouring of help from the community and its neighbors. More than 860 volunteers had helped through Monday, for a total of 8,975 volunteer hours.

City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn also praised the performance and dedication of city workers, some of whom spent 24 hours at a time away from their families during the initial response.

"They've been tremendous," Cuffee-Glenn said. "So I want to say thank you, personally, and to all our partners throughout the region."

Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com