After the April 15 tornado, Dooly County mobilizes debris removal, housing assessments and grants
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Summary
A tornado struck Vienna on April 15, 1999; county emergency management and public works coordinated damage assessments, accepted state debris-disposal allowances, and sought grant assistance for stream debris removal and scrap-tire cleanup.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. on April 15, 1999 a tornado struck the Vienna area, causing damage to numerous homes and public buildings. County Emergency Management Coordinator Kenny Calhoun presented a damage assessment to the Board: 175 housing units destroyed, 213 with major damage, 215 with minor damage, and 28 people injured; there were no fatalities reported in the minutes.
The county coordinated with state agencies and federal programs to manage debris and support recovery. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) agreed to allow use of remaining municipal solid-waste capacity for construction and demolition debris resulting from the storm. The county also secured a $13,915 EPD scrap-tire cleanup grant to dispose of an estimated 121 tons of scrap tires June 12–19, 1999. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service staff and a Watershed Protection Coordinator reported tentative approval for grant funds to remove storm debris from affected stream tributaries and the Board authorized the County Clerk to execute Damage Survey Reports.
County departments (Roads, Solid Waste, EMA, and E/D/C) coordinated site clearance, disposal, and grant administration; minutes record motions to authorize debris disposal under approved terms and to accept and administer related grants. The Board recorded public appreciation for interagency cooperation and instructed staff to continue recovery efforts and reporting.