Residents urge speedier debris removal as Mahoning County outlines recovery plan

Joe Pulaski, a Canfield Township trustee, told the Mahoning County commissioners on July 9 that residents in Canfield, Boardman and Austintown are “trapped under the weight of this disaster” and urged county leaders to press the state to release surplus funds for tree and debris removal. “We need the state to release funds from the budget surplus or rainy day fund to get help for our residents with tree and debris removal,” Pulaski said during the public‑comment period.

The appeal came as Connor, an EMA official, briefed the board on the scope of the storm damage. “We had a massive storm… a small EF‑1 tornado,” Connor said, and noted the county had no reports of fatalities and was transitioning from immediate response to recovery and cleanup. He described private‑dwelling damage assessments being conducted for homes with at least 40% damage — a threshold the county will use when seeking federal public‑assistance programs.

Why it matters: Residents pressed for faster, larger equipment and funding for debris removal because local road and public‑works crews are small and overwhelmed. Pulaski and others said homeowners should not have to choose between paying out of pocket and waiting weeks to regain safe access to their properties.

County and partner resources: Connor said EMA is coordinating with the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and United Way and advised residents to send damage reports to ema@mahoningcountyoh.gov so the county can track and document needs. Audrey, a Jobs and Family Services representative, said the state will reimburse SNAP recipients who lost food during power outages: “If you had a power outage and you lost food… the state is going to reimburse them on their food stamps,” she said.

Practical guidance and consumer protection: Monica Hoskins, an insurance agent with American Family Insurance, urged residents to file claims and to verify contractor credentials. “Before you allow anybody to do any work on your home, you ask them for their certificate of liability,” Hoskins said, adding homeowners should call the insurer listed on that certificate to confirm coverage. County speakers repeatedly warned about contractor scams and urged residents not to pay cash up front.

Public‑health note: Connor and public‑health staff emphasized food‑safety precautions after flooding and power loss, directing residents to Mahoning County Public Health guidance and named contacts Susan Kovach and Ryan Tecak for details.

What’s next: EMA will continue damage assessments and update the county’s public resources; residents with damage were asked to report addresses via ema@mahoningcountyoh.gov so the county does not miss cases when compiling assistance requests.