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Second pass of hurricane debris pickup continues

Pictured here: Corps of Engineers Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Steven Peterson of the Savannah District visited Seminole County on Wednesday, January 2 to assess the progress of the county’s debris pickup operation

The second pass of picking up debris generated by Hurricane Michael began in Seminole County on December 30. Corps of Engineers  officials remind residents to  place remaining storm generated debris within ten feet from the side of the roadway.

Only two types of Hurricane Michael debris are eligible for collection: Vegetation debris – fallen limbs, fallen or uprooted trees and/or plants on residential property and construction and demolition debris – sheet metal, plywood, shingles, siding, fences, drywall, insulation.

Vegetation debris does not include agricultural vegetation, like trees or plants NOT on residential property and does not include Christmas trees.

Residents should separate debris into the two different categories. Residents who have debris in the right-of-way that has not been picked up after the second pass starts can contact the following county offices. In Seminole County call the County Manager at 229-309-3942. In Decatur County call the County Administrator at 229-248-3030 and in Mitchell County call the County Administrator at 229-336-2000

The mountains of debris continue to grow at Seminole County’s three collection sites, east of the airport and two sites off Highway 253 near Lake Seminole where eventually all debris will be ground into chips for permanent disposal. The amount of debris collected by Corps of Engineers contractors, through December 22 under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s debris mission assignment is staggering. To date more than 849,237 cubic yards have been pickled up in Seminole County, 790,789 cubic yards in Decatur County, and  221,634 cubic yards in Miller County.

The Corps reminds motorists to remain vigilant in sharing the roads with these debris removal crews – which are out working from dawn to dusk. Be prepared to slow down,  stop and consider the roadway as a one way road when you see the flagmen, lights and signs. Crews will be out from dawn until dusk.

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