July 23, 2024
Rome Tornado Response Daily Updates
*Oneida County’s Rome Offices have been relocated to an emergency location at the former Berkshire Bank Building in downtown as repairs are made to its tornado-damaged facilities.
Beginning on July 24, 2024, the county’s Rome offices will be operating from 100 W. Dominick Street. These services have been relocated from the county’s 300 W. Dominick Street location which was damaged in the July 16 tornado.
Anyone impacted by the Rome tornado can also utilize this emergency location for relief services. The county’s mobile unit services that had been operating in the parking lot at North James and Liberty streets will cease operations and be shifted to 100 W. Dominick St.
The county’s Department of Motor Vehicles Rome office will remain closed for the foreseeable future. DMV services are available at Union Station in Utica or online here: https://dmv.ny.gov/.
The hours of operation for the county’s new temporary 100 W. Dominick Street site will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, before transitioning back to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning on July 29.
The offices at 100 W. Dominick Street can be reached by calling 315-356-2800.
*Herkimer Oneida Organizations Active in Disaster (HOOAD) is urgently seeking assistance from the community to report debris removal needs by calling 211.
While HOOAD cannot guarantee assistance for every reported need, identifying a strong and clear demand significantly increases the chances of bringing in the necessary support teams. Community input is essential in demonstrating the urgency and scope of the situation to mobilize resources effectively.
Trained volunteers are essential when operating chainsaws and other equipment to ensure safety and efficiency. However, local volunteers will be utilized whenever possible to support the recovery efforts. Interested volunteers are encouraged to email volunteer@romecitygov.com for more information on how they can help.
In addition to debris removal, residents can call 211 to report other unmet needs resulting from the tornado. This includes:
- Housing: Assistance with finding temporary or long-term shelter.
- Food: Access to emergency food supplies and meals.
- Medical Needs: Help with obtaining necessary medications or medical equipment.
- Referrals: Connections to various local services and support organizations.
- Financial Assistance: Information on financial aid for disaster recovery.
- Mental Health Services: Support and counseling for those affected by the disaster.
*A free Centro bus run has been set up to take residents on July 24 from the county's mobile response site at Liberty and James streets in downtown Rome to the Price Chopper on Black River Boulevard.
This form is NOT an application for relief programs.
Please note:
- Do not use this form to report immediate, life-threatening needs. Call 911.
- Reporting damage is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency, nor does it guarantee disaster relief assistance.
- Please submit one survey per affected housing unit or business.
- This form is for damages that occurred in New York State only.
You can access the self damage reporting tool here.
Together We Rebuild Rome: Watch the "Copper Hearts" Video Here
State of Emergency Order
County Executive Picente has modified the storm emergency order to rescind the following provisions: imposing a curfew in designated areas; closing streets to pedestrian and vehicle traffic in designated areas; and closing places of public amusement and assembly along the streets and sidewalks in designated areas.
The other provisions of the storm emergency order remain in effect, including those provisions authorizing the establishment and continuance of emergency shelters; preventing non-essential and unauthorized entry into damaged buildings unless necessary to protect life; barring looting, pillaging, and rioting; and directing all appropriate aid from County departments, offices, and agencies.
This order goes in effect July 22, 2024 and expires July 26, 2024. It can be viewed here.
New York State Food and Prescription Medication Spoilage Claims
Per National Grid - In New York State, customers who experience an electricity or natural gas outage at their National Grid service address that lasts at least 72 consecutive hours are eligible to request reimbursement for loss of food and/or prescription medication under the terms of Public Service Law 73. Requests for such reimbursements must be filed within 14 days of the 72-hour outage mark, regardless of current outage status.
Go here for more information and to learn how to file a claim.
Rome Business Emergency Fund
In response to the devastating tornado that has affected the City of Rome, the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Rome and Oneida County, is accepting applications for its Rome Business Emergency Fund.
The Rome Business Emergency Fund will be used to provide financial aid to Rome businesses that have suffered hardships from the F2 confirmed tornado and storm.
The application for the Rome Business Emergency Fund is open to all Rome businesses and can be found here: https://business.romechamber.com/form/view/33651
Read the full news release here.
Mobile Operations Units
County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and City of Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan announced two mobile operations units have been deployed in the City of Rome to ensure residents have access to essential health and human services, including public assistance, health and mental health referrals and aging services. The mobile operations units will also be able to answer general inquiries pertaining to tornado recovery efforts.
The mobile operations units will be stationed at the corner of N. James Street and Liberty Street parking lot and will be staffed by Oneida County personnel, including staff from the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Department of Mental Health. Phone charging stations will be also be available.
Mobile Operations Units Hours of Operation
July 22 – July 26 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The schedule for the mobile operations units will be re-evaluated before the end of next week.
Green Waste Removal Advisory
Due to the Tornado that struck the City of Rome on July 16, 2024 there is a significant amount of natural debris and household/construction debris. City, County and State public works employees have cleared the majority of roads in the city, and are preparing to begin removing the green waste from the curbs and sidewalks.
The process of debris removal is a lengthy process that is sure to take several weeks to complete. Cooperation from the public is key to ensuring that the crews can safely and efficiently complete their work, and we ask for your continued patience during this difficult time.
An initial removal of green waste will occur, followed by household/construction debris.
We ask that if you have any green waste, and are able to safely do so, please bring it to the curb for removal. The city is not able to enter private property to remove debris.
Green Waste is defined as: “grass, grass clippings, leaves, bushes, shrubs, tree limbs, branches, twigs. Green waste must be free of stones, paper, plastic pots/trays, metal, food scraps, and animal waste. Green waste cannot contain any household garbage. Wood debris from construction and building material is NOT green waste.”
When the initial removal of green waste debris removal we will transition to household/construction debris removal. The removal of household/construction debris is regulated and specific guidelines MUST be followed in order to be removed. If the regulations are not followed we are unable to pick up or dispose of this debris. The removal of green waste will continue during and after the removal of household/construction debris. When this process begins and there is sufficient room at the curb without placing debris in the roadway Green Waste and household/construction debris can be placed to the curb at the same time, but MUST remain separated.
Please follow the attached guide when placing household/construction debris to the curb for removal.
For further information contact:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Office of the Commissioner
ROME CITY HALL, 198 N. WASHINGTON STREET
ROME, NEW YORK 13440-5815
Telephone: (315) 339-7635 Fax: (315) 838-1167
*As of July 22, 2024, 99.9% of roads are passable. There are road closures next to St. Mary's and First Presbyterian Church due to collapse risk.*
*As of July 22, 2024 all National Grid customers whose power is capable of being restored has been restored. Please see the information below that explains what residents are responsible for and other power/gas restoration resources.
-The building permit fee has been waived for all storm damage. Obtain a building permit from the City of Rome here.
-Obtain an electrical permit application from the City of Rome here.
-Make sure you have a local, qualified electrician complete any necessary repairs.
-Have an electrical inspection completed using City of Rome approved third party inspector. List here.
-Once the inspection is completed, the inspector must call National Grid (1-800-664-6729) with that information.
-Once National Grid has received the inspection information, service should be restored within 24 hours.
-Please note to have gas services turned on, a residence must have electrical services.
*Lyft is crediting rides within Rome for up to $26 each way up until 8 p.m. Those requiring a longer distance ride, will be charged beyond the $26 initial credit. Ride requests can be made here.*
*A fund has been set up Oneida County and the City of Rome through the Community Foundation to distribute financial assistance those directly affected by the Rome tornado. You can donate here.*
-Red Cross – 394 Hangar Road (Pet Friendly) Shelter for displaced individuals
-Dial 211- Information and Referrals
-Dial 988- For Mental Health Resources
-For Emergencies Dial 911
Water available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of 394 Hangar Road.
Water available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the lot at James and Liberty streets.
-There are phone charging stations at the shelter, City Hall and the county's mobile unit locations at North James and Liberty streets. Users will have the option to lock their phone in the unit and leave it to charge.
-Connected Community Schools schedule at 207 N. James Street:
***BE ADVISED***
If you see the sign below on a building or residence, it is simply a searcher reference. It does not mean the structure is good to reoccupy nor does it mean the structure is being demolished. It merely is a reference for the searchers.
