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Storm debris cleanup will continue for two more weeks

Times Staff Writer
Published October 6, 2004

The cleanup of storm debris from Frances and Jeanne will continue for the next two weeks, county officials said.

The debris contractor, Roads Inc., of Pensacola, was about five days from completing the cleanup when Hurricane Jeanne struck Sept. 26.

As a result, many residents have reported that their debris has not been collected since Frances, officials said.

Roads Inc. crews will begin the second sweep of the county today, and neighborhoods that were missed on the first pass will be collected on the second. Residents are urged to put out their debris immediately. There will not be a third sweep.

Storm debris should be separated from household garbage. Small sticks, pine needles and leaves should be bagged.

One to three bags of leaves or sticks can be included in regular garbage, but residents who have more than three bags of sticks or leaves are asked to treat those as storm debris.

Residents are also urged not not to pile storm debris near water meters, phone or electrical boxes, or mailboxes.

County officials said Roads Inc. is trying to improve the collection on the second sweep by ensuring that all material is picked up in a more systematic manner. Large logs that cannot be picked up by hand-loading crews will be picked up by a mechanically assisted crew.

If there are problems or concerns with how crews are operating, residents are urged to note the truck number, which should be on the front or side of each trailer and begins with the letters HC. Then call 754-4113 with the information.

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