Recovery Efforts in Simpson County

Picking up the Pieces in Simpson County

Residents and officials continue recovery efforts after an early Thursday twister wreaked havoc on Simpson and nearly a dozen other Counties . MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

“I can tell that’s a beautiful home,”

“it’s gonna be again, it’s gonna be again.”

Last week’s tornado poked holes and tore out walls in the house that Michael Hankins' family called home for nearly 24 years.

“We are staying here at the moment, I just talked to my electrician and they’re gonna hook the electricity back up to it today and tomorrow and we should be able to live here.”

But they are anxious to see how much of the damage is covered by insurance..

“ I haven’t talked to the adjuster yet as far as what we’re gonna do with the house. I haven’t talked to them yet about my truck. Both vehicles are probably totaled so we’re just we’re just making it.”

In all about 19 counties reported damaged or destroyed homes, downed trees and power lines, dozens of injuries and one death. Officials are trying to estimate the total amount of damage caused by the four day weather system in hopes of getting federal dollars to help with recovery efforts. Rhuel Dickinson is the Administrator for Simpson County.

“We’re going to need help with all this debris clean up and the washed out roads and bridges and things. In addition the individuals that had homes damaged will need assistance in some form or fashion, particularly those without insurance in order to rebuild their lives.”

County officials, homeowners and contractors like Anthony Garner of Magee are still waiting on the final insurance settlements before new construction can begin.

“Until we find out exactly what’s gonna happen we wanna start the process of cleanup. And we’re waiting to find out where we’re gonna be on the money situation if we’re trying to rebuild. But it’s pretty over whelming when you got this much at one time.”

County governments expect to have a full assessment of damage to present to federal officials by sometime today. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.