Greenville City Ramps Up Debris Cleanup After Hurricane Helene
In the wake of **Hurricane Helene**, Greenville is busy working towards restoring the city after a storm that left quite a mark. Can you believe that over **260,000 cubic yards** of debris have already been picked up since the storm hit on September 27? That’s a staggering amount – roughly equivalent to **15 football fields** stacked with debris ten feet high!
Debris Pickup Underway
The city’s Director of Public Works, Dave Derrick, shared that the staff didn’t waste any time getting to work. Cleanup efforts began the very day the storm struck, which speaks volumes about the city’s commitment to maintaining the safety and accessibility of roads for its residents. To tackle this massive undertaking, they brought in an outside contractor called Crowder Gulf for Debris, who mobilized their resources within **72 hours** of the storm. With **18 debris trucks** deployed across the city, the contractors have been dividing their efforts among **20 designated routes** that were specifically set up based on how badly the different areas were damaged.
Progress So Far
After a month of dedicated work, Derrick reported that a **first pass** of debris pickup has been completed on every city street. However, the process isn’t just a one-and-done operation. There are plans for a **second and perhaps a third pass** to ensure that no one is left behind. Larger items, such as logs and stumps, will be picked up during these later passes. “We’re not going to miss anybody,” Derrick confidently stated. He reassured residents that the city would communicate effectively about final passes to make sure everyone has time to get their materials out to the road for collection.
Your Debris Matters
To keep the city informed about the ongoing cleanup efforts, the debris hauling company provides a daily report detailing their activities and quantities of debris collected. In addition, a subcontractor named Tetra Tech has been tasked with recording every pile of debris that’s picked up, which will help the city get reimbursed by the **Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)**.
Estimating the Total Debris
Initially, the city predicted that about **300,000 cubic yards** of debris would be collected by the end of the cleanup. However, with more debris still on the roads, Derrick anticipates that this number will end up being even higher by the time they finish.
Where Does It All Go?
Once collected, the debris is taken to a collection site at the **Greenville Downtown Airport**, where it’s broken down and then transported to a mulch processor located in Pelzer. As of now, Derrick estimated that they have already sent over **63,000 cubic yards** of material to the mulch processor. The transformation is impressive: what once was three or four cubic yards of debris is reduced to just one cubic yard after going through the grinding process. They plan to finish transporting the remaining materials by **mid-December**.
How You Can Help
For residents looking to contribute to the cleanup effort, there’s good news! You can drop off your debris at three temporary sites set up across Greenville County. Just remember to place your debris on the right-of-way in front of your home; avoid the roadway itself to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Helpful Resources
If you want to stay updated or need more information about the city’s debris pickup, you can easily find resources on the city’s official website. Remember, the more we all work together, the quicker Greenville can bounce back stronger than before!
Stay positive, keep your spirits high, and let’s get Greenville back to its beautiful self!
