Flood victims in the city of Austin are advised to place debris at curbside for pickup this weekend.

Thursday, July 13, 2000

Flood victims in the city of Austin are advised to place debris at curbside for pickup this weekend.

Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz announced today the curbside pickup of flood debris only begins 7 a.m. Friday.

"There’s a great need in the flood areas for this and the city is going to help," the mayor said.

The collection of flood debris will be similar to that done in 1993 and will continue Saturday and Sunday.

Only items damaged by the flood waters of this week’s latest flood event should be left at curbside.

Any household hazardous wastes must be taken to the Mower County Recycling Center.

For more information about the flood debris collections this weekend, call the Austin city engineering department at 437-9950.

Volunteers needed

The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce is recruiting volunteers to assist Chamber members in flood recovery efforts.

According to Sandy Forstner, the Chamber’s executive director, Chamber members requesting clean-up assistance include Double K Speciality Inc., Doors and Floors Inc. and the Salvation Army Austin Corps.

All volunteers are reminded to wear old clothes and bring rubber boots and gloves.

Both Double K Specialty Inc., 109 Fourth Street SE, and Doors and Floors, Inc., 102 11th Street NE, will be hosing down their businesses today.

Each was among the hardest hit by the weekend rains and resulting flood waters.

The Salvation Army Austin Corps, 409 First Ave. NE, was also inundated by flood waters and its lower level, including chapel and office area suffered extensive damages.

The Salvation Army is also sending volunteers to help flood victims in other areas of the city.

For more information about assisting Chamber members, call Forstner at 437-4561.

United Way says ‘Thanks’

United Way of Mower County Inc. is praising the response to the recent flood emergency.

In addition, the agency is encouraging citizens to volunteer to help flood victims.

"The United Way wishes to thank the community for their excellent response in helping the people of Mower County, who have been affected by the flood," said Amy Baskin, executive director.

"As the flood waters recede and people are able to get back into their homes to assess damages more volunteers will be needed," said Baskin.

"In working with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, several ares are still in need of volunteers," advised the United Way director.

Baskin issued a plea to organizations and businesses to help with flood clean-up efforts, meal preparation, running errands and other miscellaneous chores.

For more information, call the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross at 437-4589 or the Salvation Army Austin Corps at 437-4566.