Debris Pickup To Begin Countywide
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Steven Vinyard (left) with TFR Enterprises reviews debris removal plans with District Three Supervisor Kenny Harmon (center) and Robert Earl Upchurch (right) as the county prepares for organized storm debris pickup following Winter Storm Fern.
YALOBUSHA COUNTY — Organized debris removal following Winter Storm Fern is set to begin countywide, as equipment arrives and crews prepare to start systematic pickup of storm-generated debris along county and state road rights of way.
Steven Vinyard with TFR Enterprises, the county’s debris removal contractor, debris collection officially begin Feb. 9 and is expected to continue for approximately 60 days, with crews operating seven days per week, 12 hours per day, weather permitting. Yalobusha County supervisors awarded the debris removal contract to TFR during a meeting held on Feb. 5
To manage the workload efficiently, TFR has divided Yalobusha County into multiple debris collection zones corresponding with the county’s five supervisor beats. All zones will be worked simultaneously, with priority given to the most heavily impacted areas to address safety concerns.
Within each zone, crews will complete debris removal from an entire subdivision, street or block before moving on to the next area. The company expects to make at least two full passes, followed by a final cleanup pass.
Residents who are still days or weeks away from moving debris to the roadside are encouraged not to panic.
“We’ll put out a notice before the final pass,” Vinyard said.
What residents need to know
Only storm-generated debris is eligible for pickup. Residents who live outside municipal limits are asked to place debris along the county or state maintained right of way, where crews can safely access it.
“The debris does not have to be cut into firewood-size pieces,” Vinyard said. “The bigger it is, that’s fine. If you can get it to the right of way, we can pick it up.”
Residents are encouraged to consolidate smaller debris piles into larger shared piles with neighbors when possible.
“Big piles are better than a lot of little ones, Vinyard said.
Debris removal will also include state highways.
Placement guidelines
• Do not place debris on top of utilities such as cable, phone, electrical or storm drain boxes;
• Do not block mailboxes or driveways;
• Drive with caution near large debris piles;
• Sweep loose debris from the street in front of your home;
• Keep vegetative debris separate from fences, wire and mailboxes;
Any damage to personal property caused during debris removal should be reported to the TFR hotline at (512) 260-3322.
