FORT LEONARD WOOD – Maj. Gen. David Quantock, commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, provided a Monday morning message for returning service members and families: First and foremost, unless authorized, people without need or authorization must avoid all tornado damaged areas so that assessments and clean-up efforts can continue to take place safely.
Residents of the North Piney Hills housing area living on Gridley Loop, Pick Place, Siebert Lane, Goethals Drive, Jadwin Drive, Newton Court, Taylor Place and Delafield Drive can expect moderate to severe damage due to the tornado. The Piney Hills Community Center is closed. Oklahoma Avenue is closed to traffic. Thayer Elementary School will open Jan. 4.
Those residing in the North Piney Hills housing area are asked to report to the Family Assistance Center at Army Community Service (ACS), Building 486 between 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 3-7, or until further notice. A claims center has been set up at ACS and child care is available to families while they take care of business and claims paperwork at the ACS building. ACS is accepting financial and other donations. ACS phone is 573-596-0212. Those arriving on post after 6 p.m. may contact the Emergency Operations Center at 573-596-0131, ext. 3-4045 for instruction.
Residents needing to verify the condition of their home may call Balfour Beatty at 573-329-0122. Balfour Beatty will be holding a town hall meeting at 6 p.m., Jan. 3, at the Stonegate Community Center.
On-post personnel living outside of the immediate path of the storm will be permitted to return to their homes on Fort Leonard Wood, and may experience temporary utility outages as crews work to restore utilities to 100 percent operations.
Areas have been established on post for collection of both green debris (trees, bushes, etc.) and building debris. Green debris is being collected at the compost site east of Range 1. Building debris is being collected at Training Area 206, top field.
All service personnel in training who are returning from holiday block leave are to report back to Fort Leonard Wood as scheduled by their command group.
There is still some loss of accountability for pets. Displaced pets from the tornado may be dropped off at the Small Animal Clinic, Building 2399, phone 573-596-0094. Families looking for their pets may also contact the Small Animal Clinic. Stray pet sightings may be reported to the Military Police (MP) front desk at 573-596-6141 or the game warden at 573-596-0596.
The USO is accepting donations. They are in need of cleaning supplies such as brooms, mops and laundry soap, baby formula, men’s soap, men’s deodorant and shampoo. The USO will accept furniture shelving, and other home décor. They do not need bedroom furniture, clothing, or food at this time. Volunteers are welcome. The USO is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day until further notice and the USO phone number is 573-329-2039.
When someone experiences a traumatic event, they focus first on basic needs and there is a latency effect where they may discover they need to talk with someone. The Behavioral Health Services Clinic at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH) is open to service members and their dependents on a walk-in basis. The Behavioral Health Clinic is located in room 63 on the basement level of GLWACH, phone 596-0521. Hours for the clinic are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. After hours behavioral health support is available 24/7 through the GLWACH emergency room, 596-0456.
The thanked everyone for their continued patience and respect of the families affected by this tragedy; and the units, directorates and crews performing recovery operations.
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