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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — A curfew that was enacted at 8 p.m. Thursday expired 8 a.m. today, the same time when contractors and insurance representatives are permitted into the area severely damaged by an EF2 tornado.

As damage assessments and clean-up continues along Mundy Street and in the shopping centers of Wilkes-Barre Township Commons and Arena Hub Plaza, the Wyoming Valley Mall announced earlier Friday morning that the mall will open 10 a.m.

A curfew was in place to prevent any trespassers and looters in the heavily commercial shopping district devastated by Wednesday night’s tornado.

Police and Luzerne County sheriff deputies patrolled the area overnight.

Mundy Street between Highland Park Boulevard and Tambur Boulevard, which is the entrance to Arena Hub Plaza, will remain closed Friday.

Preliminary building assessments have been conducted by local building and safety officials. Approximately 20 to 25 structures have been inspected.

Classifications of these buildings range from total damage, which have been found unsafe and condemned. Other buildings were found to have minimal damage but still remain unstable due to utility interruptions.

Business owners, authorized contractors and insurance representatives are requested to check-in at the command post located at 265 Mundy St., also known as Mundy Street Square, which can be accessed via the mall property near the Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant, where they will be required to sign-in and be briefed about building assessments.

Anyone with personal belongings or vehicles in the disaster area is asked not to call Luzerne County 911. An announcement will be made when personal property can be retrieved.

A news conference is scheduled at about 10 .m. in the area of the command post.

Aerial picture of the Panera Bread complex in Wilkes-Barre Township Commons. Photo courtesy 570 Drone
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_tornado-pic-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAerial picture of the Panera Bread complex in Wilkes-Barre Township Commons. Photo courtesy 570 Drone

Kurlanceek Home Furnishings on Mundy Street. Emily Lewis | For the Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_IMG_6713-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKurlanceek Home Furnishings on Mundy Street. Emily Lewis | For the Times Leader

By Ed Lewis

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