Cleanup phase begins for Trumbull residents

The hot line number to request assistance or volunteer is (330) 392-9000.
By STEPHEN SIFF and DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- As flood waters recede, officials in Trumbull County have shifted their attention to cleaning up the mess left behind.
The Trumbull County Health Department has advised all residents in flooded areas to boil well water before drinking, or drink bottled water.
The department randomly tested wells Friday, said director of environmental health Frank Miggliozi.
Depending on how tests turn out, the department could order wells not to be used until widespread testing is performed. Flooding can result in pollution to the aquifer, in which case fairly elaborate decontamination steps could be required, he said.
Friday, the health department was working to get bottled water for distribution through the townships.
Residents who have wells can get Warren city water from a spigot at the Warren Township Fire Department, West Market Street, 24 hours a day, or from the city operations department from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
People may bring their own containers or jugs will be provided.
Health officials also urge residents to clean flooded areas in their homes as soon as possible, to minimize the chance of disease or mold infestation. Fact sheets on proper precautions for cleaning are on the Web at www.health.co.trumbull.oh.us or from the Trumbull Health Department.
Programs
Several programs are being put into place to help those who have been impacted by flooding. By latest count, 1,034 homes have been affected, 87 mobile homes, 98 apartments and 93 businesses.
The numbers are higher than those released by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
The American Red Cross is now taking applications for food vouchers at the one shelter that remains open, at LaBrae High School. About 300 people came to the shelter for dinner Thursday.
Trumbull County Jobs and Family Service is setting up programs to provide cleanup money to single parents and pregnant women who meet income guidelines, and people over age 55.
The city is establishing a disaster response center, which opens Monday, at the city's operations department, 521 Main St. S.W., across from the flea market. Sprint is donating a telephone line for city residents to call and ask for help. The number, which was effective Friday, is (330) 392-9000.
Mayor Hank Angelo said the city is looking for volunteers to help remove debris from flooded basements. He estimated that 400 city homes suffered some type of flood damage.
"We already had agreed to take debris from the curb, but we realized that wasn't enough," said Angelo, referring to senior citizens and others unable to remove the material and take it to the curb.
Trumbull County Community Action Program, or TCAP, is donating vans to transport volunteers from place to place.
Stephanie Shaw, public affairs manager at Sprint's Warren office, said the company has donated three lines and voice mail to assist residents.
"All this was done because we wanted to help the city with the effort," Shaw said.
Help for residents
Volunteers will come into homes to help residents, Angelo said. The football and basketball teams from Warren G. Harding and Warren JFK high schools, the Harding band and JFK soccer and baseball teams already have volunteered.
"We've got a lot of strong backs there," the mayor said.
The items will be taken to the transfer station or to a landfill. Trees and branches cannot be removed, however.
Removal is likely to begin by the middle of next week, Angelo said. After two weeks of the relief services, the city will re-evaluate to determine if the effort should continue.
Others interested in volunteering also may call (330) 392-9000. Robert Stahl, who is acting as city emergency response coordinator, said volunteers also are needed to answer phones and perform clerical and office tasks until the mess is cleaned up.
Cheryl Oblinger, executive director of the American Red Cross' Trumbull County Chapter, said the agency will meet with families affected one-on-one.
"Everyone we've asked to help has said yes," Angelo said. "That shows you what kind of community Warren is."