Officials are still trying to assess a dollar value to last week’s tornado.

Roanoke Rapids Planning and Development Director Amanda Jarratt said a figure may be available by the end of the week.

The tornado, rated a 2 on the Fujita Enhanced Scale, has delivered officials from the Federal Emergency Management Authority to Roanoke Rapids who will be contacting homeowners through door-to-door visits. An announcement of a FEMA recovery center in Roanoke Rapids could be made either late today or tomorrow, Jarratt said. “A lot of people still need help.”

Public Works crews are still assessing how much work is left in the cleanup efforts following last week’s storm.

A damage assessment, in which the city was assisted by Halifax County, shows 49 homes experienced minor damage, 19 homes had major damage and seven homes were destroyed.

One of the hard hit businesses.

There were nine commercial buildings with minor damage, eight commercial buildings with major damage and five commercial buildings destroyed.

Officials of Sonic, which had major damage following the storm, met with city officials before the storm about a possible expansion involving adjoining property, Jarratt said.

Meanwhile, the N.C. Department of Transportation is working closely with Halifax County to efficiently remove debris left behind after the tornado.

Starting Wednesday, contractor crews will begin collecting debris from along the following state-maintained roads in seriously damaged parts of the county: N.C. 48; U.S. 158; 10th Street/N.C. 125; Sam Powell Dairy Road and the Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

NCDOT will conduct minimal debris pick-up operations in other, less significantly impacted, areas until May 2.

Keep these items in mind while collecting debris for removal:

Check your homeowners insurance as often debris cleanup is covered by insurance and arrangements for its collection will be handled by the insurance company.

NCDOT will collect vegetation debris such as trees and limbs, as well as building materials, but they must be separated.

Property owners are asked to cut storm-related debris into five- or six-foot pieces, if possible, and place it along the roadway, but out of travel lanes.

Major appliances, household hazardous materials such as paint, propane tanks and other similar materials will not be collected.

It is recommended that property owners contact their county emergency management office regarding how to dispose of those items. Furniture will, however, be accepted.