Augusta storm debris removals hits the hard hit streets

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A giant debris pile in the Montclair neighborhood getting picked up to be hauled away.

“Means we can kind of go back to normal, kind of been a nightmare trying to navigate through all of this and still get the things done you need done,” said Jimmy Pulley.

There’s a lot of work to get done, but right now, 34 specialized trucks are fanning out across Augusta picking up the debris.

The city’s nearly $7 million-dollar debris cleanup effort is off and running.

“We’re hitting the heavy areas right now, the bigger piles. There’s going to be more trips. You might not feel like it’s progress because it’s one or two houses, especially as we get this initial surge through,” said Steve Cassell, of ISM Engineering who is leading the debris pickup effort.

Once these twin trailer trucks fill up, it’s off to the drop off sites. This one is at Eisenhower Park during the ice storm Eisenhower was one of two sites but this time the city is adding additional drop off areas.

“One of the reasons why we came up with more debris sites I wanted to reduce travel time between hauls if we get one or two more hauls a day the quicker it gets done,” said Cassell.

For those waiting for the debris piles to go, the quicker, the better.

“I’d be happy to see it done a couple few weeks, but if they can get it down quicker, more power to them. I know they’re working as hard as they can,” said Pulley.

The city goal is to get the city cleaned up in 90 days, that way FEMA will provide one hundred percent reimbursement.

The city expects to have six more trucks on the street by next week and that will also be a help.

“You’ll start seeing it we’re making a dent on it. You’ll start seeing a dent in two weeks. I’m seeing progress on streets that I couldn’t believe we already got clear,” said Cassell.

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