Fairfax County supervisors have taken a step to ease the burden of Burke-area families impacted by last month’s microburst.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to waive costs for homeowners depositing debris at the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill through July 29.
“The unique, devastating nature of this event deserves action,” said Braddock District Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who sponsored the measure along with Board Chair Jeff McKay.
Though the June 22 weather event was not widespread enough to qualify for national or state assistance, “the long-term damage is high … and the trauma is very real,” Sizemore Heizer said.
Homeowners depositing debris at either center will have costs waived if they confirm they live in the affected area. The waiver will not apply to contractors or for-profit trash removal firms.
According to the National Weather Service, a microburst is a localized column of sinking air, known as a downdraft, located within a thunderstorm.
As was the case in Burke, their impacts generally are limited to areas less than 2.5 miles in diameter, but can be exceptionally destructive.
Peak winds estimated at 90 mph were clustered around Royal Lake Park during the June 22 incident. That’s equivalent to an EF-1 tornado.
The microburst uprooted trees, tore roofs of homes and caused significant road damage. At least nine families were reportedly displaced.
“Seeing is believing,” McKay said of his experience touring impacted neighborhoods after the incident. “The devastation is amazing.”
McKay acknowledged that waiving costs associated with debris removal would have only a small impact on those attempting to recover from the storm, but it sends the message that “the county has their back.”
Sizemore Heizer, whose district includes the areas most affected, said impacts of the incident are likely to linger.
“The residents are struggling, but doing their best to get their lives back on track,” she said. “It caused localized but very severe damage.”
More resources for those recovering from the storm can be found on the county’s website.
