BATON ROUGE, La. – February 19, 2021 – The City-Parish began efforts earlier this week to remove debris caused by the recent winter storm. Republic Services began collecting woody waste Wednesday, February 17, as part of its regular services. Today the City-Parish activated DRC Emergency Services to first assist in trimming hanging tree limbs that are affecting our roadways, before transitioning to collecting storm debris.
In addition, the Department of Maintenance continues its efforts to clear trees from roadways, after which it will assist in debris collection. The City-Parish received 192 calls through 311 since Monday for downed trees or tree limbs affecting our roadways. The City-Parish is also working with utility companies to collect the debris they remove in their efforts to restore power.
“Now that power is being restored, our residents are eager to clean up the debris left behind. This winter storm has devastated a large portion of the Southern United States, creating competition for debris-removal resources throughout our region. For that reason, I have asked that we start immediately with debris collection, using all available resources to complete our cleanup effort as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.
Residents can expect to see storm debris collection taking place on their normal woody-waste collection day. City-Parish anticipates debris removal to last four to six weeks.
If you enlist a professional company for tree service, it is responsible to haul off the debris.
Residents should cut their tree debris into 6-foot lengths and stack it at the right of way for collection. Collection for white goods and trash should be kept in separate piles.
Do not stack tree debris:
- In the ditch
- Under power lines
- Around utility poles
- In the roadway
- With white goods or trash
- In front of mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants or other utilities
- Inside your garbage or recyclable bin