Kennett officials report tornado-warning response, FEMA assessment scheduled; city opens compost site for free storm debris

City officials on Monday gave an account of the city’s response to a tornado warning and subsequent storm damage, reporting preliminary counts of five businesses and about 20 homes with structural damage and announcing that federal and state assessors would arrive to begin damage evaluations.

Officials said the National Weather Service placed Kennett under a tornado warning late Friday night, prompting activation of the outdoor sirens and the emergency operations center. City staff emphasized that outdoor sirens are designed to alert people outdoors and recommended residents rely on multiple indoor alerts — smartphone weather apps, NOAA weather radios or local broadcast — for indoor warnings.

Officials described the response timeline: responders monitored weather at the emergency operations center, outdoor sirens were activated when the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings, first-responders conducted damage assessments through the early morning hours and the street and public-works departments cleared roads and began utility restoration.

A city official said preliminary field assessment work and a National Weather Service review rated the storm as a low-end EF (Enhanced Fujita) event, subject to adjustment as further evaluations are completed. The official said no deaths were reported.

Officials said FEMA, the Small Business Administration and the state emergency management agency, together with county emergency management, would visit Kennett to begin assessment work as soon as Friday or Saturday. City staff said the first federal/state visit would focus on individual businesses and residents; a later visit would cover public assistance (infrastructure and municipal response) and reimbursement paperwork.

The council heard a request that residents contact insurance agents first for roof or home damage claims; staff said assessors will also visit addresses identified by the city and that residents need not contact the city to be inspected during the initial assessment visit.

The council announced the compost facility will accept storm-related limbs, yard debris, lumber, shingles, siding, wood fencing and other building materials free of charge for Kennett residents from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 31. Non-storm items such as couches remain subject to normal disposal rules; metal and heavy structural items were asked to be taken to recycling yards to limit weight at the city facility.

City staff said the governor issued a disaster declaration before the storm and that the mayor signed a local declaration as a precaution to help secure potential state or federal assistance. The early state-level declaration was described as accelerating the process for statewide assistance by allowing state agencies to act earlier in the response.

On warning systems, staff explained the city’s outdoor siren systems run for about five minutes per activation by design and that the city does not currently operate a system to send simultaneous smartphone push alerts; city staff said they would investigate whether 911 or other providers could send cell alerts timed with siren activations. The council discussed reverse-911 and other systems and noted cost concerns with some vendor solutions.

City staff thanked emergency responders, public-works crews, dispatchers, utility partners and volunteers for response and cleanup efforts and said the city would continue to share updates as federal and state assessments proceed.

The council also reminded residents that out-of-city contractors must register for a trade permit (no fee) so the city can confirm proper liability insurance for contractors working inside city limits.