DeSoto Parish reports nearly 49,000 cubic yards of debris removed after Storm Fern; FEMA declarations secure partial reimbursement

DeSoto Parish officials told the Police Jury on April 20 that cleanup operations after winter storm Fern have substantially reduced roadside hazards but significant work remains.

Administrator Norton said contractors and parish crews have completed 280 work orders and removed an estimated 48,957 cubic yards of debris and cut 4,029 downed trees and large limbs from parish roadways since the Jan. 23–27 storm. He said road crews continue to process about 100 outstanding work orders and expect roughly two more months of parish cleanup before returning to normal duties.

Norton said the parish secured FEMA declarations A and B on Feb. 18, 2026, which make eligible up to 75% reimbursement for debris hauling by a designated contractor, debris-monitoring costs and reimbursement for parish forced-account labor. “In the 31 days the debris contractor worked, they removed 48,957 cubic yards of debris,” Norton said. He added the parish is documenting every request with photos to satisfy FEMA documentation requirements.

Jurors pressed staff on how the parish will distinguish storm-related debris from homeowner yard cleanups. Norton said crews will document the work with photos and deny pickups that are not storm-related because FEMA will not reimburse those collections. “Anything that’s not associated with the winter storm Fern … is not going to be picked up by the jury’s crews,” Norton said.

Several jurors and members of the public sought exceptions for vulnerable residents. Jurors were reminded that eligibility rules tie pickups to the declared event and that the parish’s road crews are limited to storm-related cleanup for FEMA reimbursement. Norton said the parish will continue outreach via social media to explain which roads are parish-maintained and which are state-maintained, since state right-of-way cleanup falls under different authorities and schedules.

The treasurer’s financial report reflected storm-related expenses. As of the end of March, the disaster relief recovery fund had paid $332,533 for storm cleanup, with additional payments reflected in early April. Norton said the parish will pursue FEMA reimbursements to recoup eligible costs at 75% of the total.

The board did not vote to change debris policy at the meeting; jurors asked staff to increase public messaging and continue documentation to support FEMA claims.