Video: Frustrated Columbus Residents Having A Hard Time Clearing Debris

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — “I came out here Tuesday morning. And I looked up. The trees that had fallen from the back, it was all the way out here”

East Columbus resident Annie Payne is frustrated. With holes in her roof, mold growing inside her house and with trees down throughout her yard, she says she’s getting very little help.

“My baby, he’s living with my nephew. I’m living with my sister. Her house is full. It’s a lot of stress on me,” said Payne.

Mary Hood lives next door in a heavily damaged house. For 4 days, her home didn’t have any power.

“God knows my heart goes out to Louisville and Tupelo. But we need help right here at home. Me and my grandson, we can’t even take a bath in the house. We had to go to a motel,” said Hood.

“I feel their pain. And I know they’re frustrated,” said Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens.

Mickens also says the city is working hard to restore power and clean up debris. But there are some things they cannot do — like remove debris from private property.

“It’s a state statute. The state law would not allow city employees to do any work on city property. If something happens, we’re still liable. They can turn around and sue us. So that’s why we’re not allowed to go on and do work on private property. If they take care of it themselves, cut the trees down and bring it to the edge of the road, we will come by and take it form there, take it to the dump and expose of it,” said Mickens.

Annie understands, but says it’s easier said than done.

“If I had the equipment, I wouldn’t ask anybody to come out here and get it out. I’d do it myself, but I don’t own some kind of equipment to remove these big trees,” said Payne.

Councilman Mickens says the first thing you should do is call your homeowner’s insurance company. They could help guide you in taking the proper steps.

They’re also asking residents to be patient.