Clearing Up Storm Debris in the Upstate: A Community Effort Mobilizes After Hurricane Helene

Clearing Up Storm Debris in the Upstate: A Community Effort

If you live in the Upstate and have been feeling overwhelmed by the piles of storm debris cluttering your yard, you’re not alone! Many residents have been reaching out to share the growing concern about what to do with all those leaves, sticks, and fallen logs that Hurricane Helene has left behind. Fortunately, local county officials are stepping in to help with debris removal.

Your County’s Plan

The first thing to know is that the process varies by county. Some counties, like Spartanburg and Greenville, have confirmed there is no limit to the size of debris they will pick up. That’s right—even those giant logs can be part of the cleanup! Officials are emphasizing the need to be proactive and set up debris outside your property line, but not blocking the road.

Doug Bryson from Emergency Management noted, “Just get all the woody or vegetative debris to the right of way, which is the area between your pavement and property line. Pile it up there, but keep it away from your mailbox so when mail services resume, they can access it.”

When Will They Be By?

Many counties have started debris collection. In Greenville County, for instance, the cleanup will kick off on Wednesday, October 2. However, they may not be able to provide an exact schedule for when they will come through your area. This has a lot to do with the volume of debris they’re seeing, which is reportedly the most they’ve encountered.

Chris Blackwell, the Communications Manager, tackled some common questions: “Yes, we will focus on publicly maintained roadways first, but we will also get to privately maintained roads. Just be patient; our teams will be working hard to clean up this massive amount of storm debris.”

What to Do in the Meantime?

It’s crucial that residents follow some basic guidelines while waiting for their county’s cleanup crews. For starters, make sure to place your debris within the right-of-way, away from mailboxes, utility lines, and standing trees. Additionally, it’s important to avoid bagging any materials, as bagged debris won’t be collected. Collect your debris into piles to enhance the efficiency of the collection teams.

Crews are set to make several passes around the county, and they aim to clear around 80% of the debris by Halloween. It’s definitely a monumental task, as the Debris Management Plan has been activated for the first time in Greenville County’s history.

A Community Perspective

Residents are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For example, Marc Karrmann from Greenville is thankful his family is safe after a 60-foot oak tree fell on their roof. “Five days later, the debris is piling up, like so many across the Upstate,” he said, visibly relieved at the prospect of local cleanup efforts. “I think it’s great; I don’t know how else we’d get rid of it.”

Not All Counties Are Fully Prepared

While some counties are progressing with debris collection, others like Pickens County currently have no plans for debris removal. However, they do have all recycling centers operational! Meanwhile, Anderson County will be shifting to debris collection in two weeks to ensure they can cover public streets first while preparing to establish debris dump sites for added convenience.

Safety First

For anyone considering a DIY approach by burning the debris, here’s a critical reminder: a burn ban has been issued starting October 1. This initiative aims to prevent any additional strain on firefighters as they work tirelessly to support affected homeowners.

In conclusion, as we all grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it’s important to remember that communities are rallying together to make this clean-up as smooth as possible. So, gather your debris and prepare to see those cleanup crews roll through your neighborhood soon!