Wynne still picking up the pieces
FEMA responds, kids back in school, donations needed
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
Clean up and rebuilding continues in Wynne this week, two weeks after being struck by deadly tornados nearly two weeks ago that left four dead, dozens injured and a city picking up the pieces.
Although the city’s wastewater treatment plant was damaged and described as a total loss and have to be rebuilt, the city’s drinking water was, thankfully, unaffected.
Wynne’s students are expected to start classes again soon with Kindergarten through eighth grade expected to start Wednesday and high school students expected to start by Friday at the East Arkansas Community College Tech Center.
The school next plans to get regularly scheduled events back on track with sports programs resuming (neighboring schools have offered use of their fields for several sports) and even prom and graduation are back on and still scheduled for April 22 and May 20, respectively.
Debris clean up continues and citizens are urged to call 501-214-0422 to schedule services such as cutting fallen trees, drywall, flooring and appliance removal, tarping of roofs and mold mitigation. The services are free of charge but not guaranteed due to obvious widespread need.
FEMA administrator Tony Robinson recently visited the city to asses the situation and FEMA is currently paying for 75 percent of all expenses. However even with assistance from the federal government the city is still expected to need millions in cleanup alone, not to mention the cost of rebuilding and replacing homes.
There are currently many places around West Memphis and Marion for anyone wishing to donate may do so until April 15. The West Memphis Christian Academy has already filled one truck and sent it to Wynne but will send a second and Hodges AG transport will is still accepting donations in Marion at Marion Nutrition, Blue Collar Grappling Academy and Partners Bank in Marion.
Suggested items include: laundry detergent and baskets, mens women and children’s’ clothing including under garments, tools, batteries, extension cords, flashlights, boxes, totes, candles, non perishable food and snacks of all kinds, bedsheets, towels, air mattresses, personal and feminine hygiene products, paper plates and plasticware, water and any clean up/building supplies including shovels, hammers, gloves, etc.
A frontal view of Wynne High School
Photos by Don Wilburn
A house at Rainbow Farms near Levesque barely stands.
ABOVE: A tree uprooted by the storm and a house that no longer has a roof just outside Levesque. BELOW: Cars crushed by falling trees.
LEFT: A shot of the Wynne High School football field. RIGHT: A cross erected near the path of the tornado a week after.
A grain silo, near Parkin, in the middle of a field where it shouldn’t be and snapped electrical pole.
