What’s the status of debris cleanup in Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Whether it’s stacked or thrown on the curb, huge piles of debris continue to fill streets across Augusta.

It’s almost been a month since Hurricane Helene hit the area.

And some neighborhoods still look almost the same as day one.

Everyone wants to know what’s the status of debris collection.

The city’s focus is on the trees and they’re really urging you to not mix it with any other debris.

They cannot pick it up if you mix roofing or any other trash.

Crews are still working on the heavy areas right now, like Walton Way and Wheeler Road.

Take the size of a super Walmart. Now, multiply it so you have two, and then stack them on top of each other.

That is how much debris crews say they’ve picked up so far in Augusta.

“In the 17 days since the contract, we got like 450,000 cubic yards in that. That’s more than half of what we did in the ice storm,” said Steve Cassell with ISM Engineering.

With about 86 haul units running in Richmond County, crews are bringing debris to sites across the county like Lake Olmstead Stadium and Eisenhower Park.

“We got three or four like grinders out there that’s grinding up the debris. And so, we’re starting to haul those out and just take them to the landfill where they can be reused or trying to create topsoil out and not bury it,” said Cassell.

The city is working with a 90-day time frame to clear all of this to be eligible for full FEMA reimbursement.

“The goal was to do that in 90 days. We’ll see where we are as we get closer. But I mean, we’re trying to bring as many resources we can to get this stuff going. It’s going to take time, but it’s not because we’re not trying,” said Cassell.

If you haven’t gotten debris picked up from your yard, crews say to be patient because this is widespread all over the county.

Crews are asking you not to put your debris in the road and to keep it on the edge of your yard.

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