Long-term recovery efforts continue in Selmer after deadly tornado
SELMER, Tenn. — One month after powerful tornadoes tore through Selmer, the community is still deep in recovery mode.
On April 3, an EF3 tornado struck Selmer leaving a trail of devastation, destroying homes and damaging buildings.
There were 3 reported fatalities and 14 injuries.
SEE ALSO:
- At least 1 tornado tears through Selmer, several structures destroyed
- VIDEO: Aerial footage of aftermath in Selmer
Now in the aftermath, residents and city officials are turning their attention to long-term recovery efforts.
“Well, we’ve met last night at the city level, so we’re going to try to expedite getting our debris cleaned up. If you’ve drove around already, you’ve seen that we still have plenty that’s coming to the side of the road. So, we’re actually going to, hopefully tonight, expedite a plan of trying to get our city cleaned up,” said Selmer Mayor Sherry Inman.
According to Mayor Inman, the city street department has picked up almost 10,000 tons of trees and debris across the area.
But that’s only a small amount compared to what’s left.
“They’re cleanin’ it up pretty fast, I see a lot of stuff piled up on the side of the road, so the city’s helping and it looks like the community has bonded together and they’re doing well,” said Matt Presnull with Presnull Construction.
Although the city is progressing, they don’t have enough manpower to finish the cleanup. The city plans to begin the bidding process of hiring outside contractors.
Mayor Inman also addressed the housing concern post-storm.
“We just don’t have enough housing, and we didn’t have enough housing in the first place. I mean, we were a small city, you know? [It’s] Rental based, a lot of it, but now we’re really lacking and we don’t have enough housing,” said Mayor Inman.
Mayor Inman is working with local nonprofits to find a solution for those displaced families.
The mayor and board of alderman will meet for their regular meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to discuss the housing and debris challenges, and also continue their recovery efforts.
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