Columbia’s city manager has signed a declaration of emergency, following Sunday’s tornado and storms that destroyed the city’s material recovery facility and damaged the landfill’s bio gas plant.
Columbia’s city council has approved an ordinance supporting the emergency declaration. City manager De’Carlon Seewood says Easter Sunday’s storms produced a tornado, straight-line winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Mr. Seewood describes damage to the city landfill as catastrophic, noting the material recovery facility was demolished. Mr. Seewood also says there is extensive damage at Cosmo park from wind and flooding, adding that electric transmission lines were toppled as well.
All recycling in Columbia has been suspended indefinitely. That includes weekly residential curbside collections and commercial collections.
Columbia Parks and Recreation director Gabe Huffington tells 939 the Eagle that Sunday’s storms have damaged about 50 trees at Cosmo park and the nearby L.A. Nickell golf course.
