MURPHYSBORO - Jackson County officials said Monday the focus of the county's recovery effort is shifting away from life safety issues and toward cleaning up the debris clogging roadways and littering properties.

Stanley Krushas, a coordinator with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said multiple state and local agencies were working on the recovery and that restoring power is now a top priority.

"People aren't used to being without power," he said. "I expect we'll be seeing more people in shelters."

Krushas said that efforts to clear roadways were being identified and prioritized by local experts.

Sheriff Bob Burns said his office has been occupied mostly with aiding in the recovery and he did not report any instances of people taking advantage of the blackout.

"People are being extremely cooperative," he said.

Jackson County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Derek Misener said that the efforts to clear debris will be prioritized based on population density.

County board Chairman John Evans said the county was working closely with the Illinois Department of Transporation, the Illinois Department of Corrections and utility providers.

Evans credited IEMA for helping the multi-agency operation to run smoothly.

"We are making progress and it is looking better," he said.

State Rep. Mike Bost echoed Evans.

"We've been dealt a blow but we are working well together," he said.

CARBONDALE

Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole said all city services are up and running including trash collection, which he said will be particularly important in the days ahead.

"The main thing is going to be cleaning up - it's a health issue," he said. "We are doing our business every day. In this case, we do our business while managing this."

Throughout Carbondale work crews continued to clear debris.

Cole asked that citizens put tree debris on the curbside and to cut it down to a manageable size before doing so.

Cole also warned citizens to be weary of vendors and contractors not from the area who might prey upon those affected by the storm.

"All vendors should have a permit from the city of Carbondale or Jackson County," he said. "Residents are encouraged to ask to see a vendor's permit before contracting."

Cole praised the efforts of city workers and volunteers but said there remains much work to be done.

"It's going to be months before we get back to normal," he said.

Ameren will open a customer service center at the civic center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The city's boil water order remains in effect.

MURPHYSBORO

In Murphysboro, Mayor Ron Williams said the IEMA had their first large crew on the ground and more would be arriving Monday evening and Tuesday. The combination of state, county and city work crews will be clearing major thoroughfares and snow routes first. Williams said it would be some time before they would be able to get into neighborhoods to clear side streets.

"We are in the recovery stage," Williams said.

The mayor also said the city is issuing temporary permits to verify the credentials of independent contactors coming into the area to find work in the clean-up effort. Four investigators with the Illinois Attorney General's office have also been dispatched to help prevent fraud.

"That's a huge issue," Williams said. "If they do not have a permit, do not do business with them."

There have been two water main breaks in town, at 7th and McDowell streets, but there have been no city-wide boil water orders issued, except for in those isolated areas, and only for short periods of time.

"Water is pure, water is clean, it is totally safe," Williams said.

Murphysboro Police Chief Jeff Bock said the city-wide burning ban had been lifted and that normal burning rules apply, which includes yard waste only. No construction or roofing materials. Residents must also notify the Murphysboro Fire Department before burning, which can only be done from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Bock also said that any reports of looting were not true and that citizens have been cooperating very well.

Williams and Bock were both upbeat about the situation in Murphysboro, despite the devastation. Over the last couple of days, both have witnessed residents helping each other clear debris, as well as getting out the grill and inviting neighbors over to eat.

"I think it's bringing the community a lot closer together," Bock said.

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brent.stewart@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5074