Service center opens to assist residents affected by tornado

BEREA — The England Run North Storm Response Service Center opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Berea Fire & Rescue Station.

The facility, located off Litchfield Boulevard at 20 Sebring Way, will serve as the main resource center for any Stafford County resident or business affected by Thursday night’s tornado.

According to Stafford County Planning and Zoning Assistant Director Kathy Baker, the center will be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through next Friday.

In the aftermath of the EF 2 tornado that ripped through a four-mile area of the county, Baker has been designated the Service Center Manager for the disaster recovery process.

“Our primary goal is to get people back in their homes," she said. “We have people here and on site in the community to assist folks in getting repairs made to their homes.”

The center also has individuals available to help expedite the county building permit process. “We want to make sure that all work is done safely and within code,” said Baker.

Although during a briefing on Friday, several homeowners asked if the county could waive the building permit fees, Baker said that is a decision that would need to be approved by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors before it could be implemented.

However, Baker said, “In consideration of the disaster, the county is not requiring immediate payment for permits related to tornado damage repairs.”

County utilities employees were on staff and county representatives were able to verify if construction companies were licensed in the county.

In addition to general information needed for the recovery process, homeowners can also make use of computers with Internet access at the center and receive information about other services available to them as they rebuild their homes and their lives.

Those visiting the center will find insurance company representatives and several community and faith based organizations offering assistance.

The center also had a full supply of brochures dealing with disasters published by the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Editions of “When a Disaster Strikes” were available addressing issues for insured homeowners and insured commercial property owners. They also had “Homeowners Insurance Consumer Guides” available.

Wendy Mallow, an administrative assistant in the Stafford County Administration Center, had a variety of items available to victims of the tornado to include gift cards from several local restaurants.

“Many of the items were donated by businesses, but county employees also made donations,” she said.

In addition to greeting cards, they also had flowers that they planned to distribute in the neighborhood for Mother’s Day.

Rappahannock Area Red Cross Executive Director Luis Garcia said his team did not have many clients today, but talked to a lot of people.

“We only opened one case,” he said. “I am pleasantly amazed at the high percentage of both homeowners and renters that are insured.”

Garcia said most of the people are in need of cleaning supplies for their yards and their houses. “We distributed over 200 cleaning supplies,” he said, “and we are in the process of trying to arrange to pick up more rakes and gloves.”

Red Cross Public Support Director Caroline Camargo said that people wishing to make donations can do so by mailing a check to the Rappahannock Area Red Cross at 4836 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or online at its Web site at rappahannockarea.redcross.org.

“We also always welcome new volunteers,” she said. “Anyone that would like to volunteer to support the local Red Cross should contact our offices so they can arrange to attend our volunteer orientation classes.”

Although there were no mass injuries from the disaster, she said, the Red Cross is always in need of blood donations since they are the main supplier for Mary Washngton Hospital.

The following phone numbers will help to assist local storm victims:

General Information Hotline: (540) 658-5751

Rappahannock Area Red Cross: (540) 735-0500

Salvation Army - Counseling: (540) 373-3431

Marty van Duyne is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com.