Flash floods erupt after multiple tornadoes passed through Central Oklahoma in late May, 2013. (File photo)<\/p>\n
US authorities say current laws have prevented emergency staff from providing aid and assisting with cleanup efforts after a series of massive storms swept through central United States.\n<\/p>\n
Officials from Pottawatomie County in the US State of Oklahoma said this weekend that current legislation has stalled cleanup efforts including the recovery of a destroyed mobile home park, three weeks after an EF-4 tornado struck the state.\n<\/p>\n
The county itself cannot remove debris from the park, but \u00c5\u201cif the people can get their debris to the county easements, then by law we can pick up all the rubble and debris and everything,\u201d said Randy Thomas, the Pottawatomie County Commissioner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Officials are prevented from providing aid to privately held companies including cleanup and sanitation organizations as well as water supply systems – which remain damaged.<\/p>\n
County officials negotiated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a plan to bring private contractors to clear the debris. However, officials rejected providing aid to non-profit and volunteer organizations.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cBecause we are a nonprofit association, we cannot receive any help from (the) county or state, even though we pay our taxes,\u201d said Michael Bowen, the president of the mobile home park\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s homeowners association.\n<\/p>\n
On May 19, at least 19 tornadoes swept through the US states of Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, killing at least two people and injuring several others.\n<\/p>\n
An EF-4 tornado struck the US state of Texas on May 15, killing several people and injuring more than 100 residents.\n<\/p>\n
GMA\/PR
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