Deadline For Storm Debris Pick-up Is June 1

The June 1st deadline is approaching and property owners must register for storm debris picked up and hauled away by hired contractors.  Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management officials continues to request the need of volunteers with tornado relief efforts.

Contractors hired by Hamilton County continue picking up separated debris piles generated by the storm and transporting to the designated locations.

It is important for the residents to remember that debris contractors will continue to pick up after June 1. The Volunteer Reception Center reports 40 homes (city and county) have not had storm debris brought to the right away curbside due to the lack of volunteers. It is very important to have all the separated piles of debris brought to the curbside because contractors are not allowed on private property.

Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM) continues to emphasize the importance of any storm debris placed out for collection must be debris generated by the tornado(s) on April 12 and 13. Debris that is generated by a contractor, hired by the homeowner or insurance company of homes or work on private property, should not be placed along the public right-of-way. All hired contractors will be required to remove and transport any resulting debris to a permitted disposal site. Any debris placed along the right-of-way by a hired contractor will not be removed.  Any property owner needing assistance with debris management clean up should call the Volunteer Reception Center at 423 300-6592.

HCOEM continues to report the FEMA guidelines for storm debris must be separated for contractors to pick up. They are as follows:

• Do not place debris on top of fire hydrants, utility poles, electrical boxes and storm drains

• Do not place debris in front of or around a mailbox

• Do not place debris in front of or around your driveway, as emergency vehicles may need to enter the area

• Do not block or dump debris into the storm drains or ditches. This will cause a flood hazard

• Do not place demolition homes curbside for collection by contractors hired by Hamilton County

• Do not place construction debris along the right of way during rebuilding process that was not “generated” by the storm/tornado.

• Aid contractors by sweeping access and loose debris from the street in front of your house

• Create separate hazardous debris piles, such as paint cans, propane tanks, etc., from construction and demolition debris piles. This will aid the expedited collection of debris from the roadway

• Drive with extreme caution in areas with large debris piles

Hamilton County, as well as hired contractors, continue to transport storm debris. Any storm debris generated by the tornado(s) on April 12 and 13, shall be placed on the public right-of-way by June 1.  Any debris placed after June 1, will not be removed.