Contact: Denise Turner
Phone: 336-373-2002

City Crews Responding to Storm Damage

GREENSBORO, NC – (April 5, 2011) – City of Greensboro crews continue to work to clean up the aftermath of overnight storms that left nearly a dozen Greensboro homes damaged and in need of inspection, about 40,000 residents without electricity, about 50 intersections without traffic signal power, and about 150 trees down, some blocking roadways.

As of 1 pm, City officials reported that crews had responded to 100 of the 150 tree calls and 25 of the 50 calls about traffic lights at intersections. The City’s Field Operations Department was continuing to respond to the remaining tree calls and Greensboro Police Department and Greensboro Department of Transportation crews were working to repair the traffic lights.

The latest estimate from Duke Energy listed 23,541 residents in Guilford County without power. Meanwhile, estimates from City inspection crews indicated an approximate loss in property value of $299,000 for nine homes that reported damage due to trees or power lines. Of those nine homes, five have been condemned because power was disconnected from the home during the storms.

After assessing the city-wide damage, the City has determined that there is no need to relax the code enforcement standards for solid waste pickup (more than 50 pounds in weight or items longer than five feet). However, if a property received a significant amount of damage, the City will assess those waste pickup hardship issues on a case-by-case basis. Residents are responsible for cutting the fallen or damaged trees on their property.

All Solid Waste services – trash, recycling, yard waste, bulk – continue to run on schedule. The Field Operations Department has 15 crews – about 70 employees - working to respond to debris calls in priority order.

City officials continue to warn residents to stay away from downed power lines and report them to 9-1-1. Residents who have had power meter damage to their home should call an electrical contractor. For more information, call 336-373-CITY.

                                                                         #  #  #

The City works with the community to improve the quality of life for residents through inclusion, diversity, and trust. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a professional staff of 2,800 employees who maintain the values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City is governed by a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight council members. For more information on the City, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov or call 373-CITY (2489).