Gadsden officials say 'we're trying' on storm debris removal from Lookout Mountain

The City of Gadsden has a message for residents of Lookout Mountain still dealing with debris from the Aug. 3 storm that slammed the area: “Be patient, we’re trying.”

Ty Jackson, environmental services manager for the Public Works Department, updated the City Council on Tuesday about cleanup efforts.

The storm, with 80 mph to 90 mph straight-line winds, downed hundreds of trees and Jackson said crews are “not even making a dent in the big stuff that’s up there.”

A short-term contract with Kevin’s Tree Service for assistance, which wrapped up on Monday, helped some. Jackson said its two trucks over a seven-day period hauled off 50 loads totaling 485.22 tons of debris.

There’s still much more to be done, however. Jackson said Public Works has “all of our trucks up there right now, trying to haul small stuff off,” but some difficult decisions must be made. Do crews stay on the mountain until the storm debris is gone, or do they maintain the usual rotation through districts to keep from getting behind in collecting debris elsewhere?

Mayor Craig Ford described Public Works’ efforts in the crisis as “phenomenal,” adding, “I’ve talked to some aggravated neighbors (in the area) and understand what they’re feeling, and I’d feel the same way. They’re very understanding, but we’re going as fast as we can. And (Public Works) is out of overtime and we’re trying to move some money around without asking for more.

“... We’re asking people to be patient,” the mayor said. “We will get to it.”

Ford said the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 budget will include money for additional loader trucks should this kind of situation happen in the future. The city currently has “nine or 10” loader trucks, he said, but they break down constantly.

There are also logistical issues involved with removing and hauling debris on this scale, which has slowed down the cleanup process. “Going back and forth to the landfill,” Jackson said, “it takes a lot of time to do that on some of these streets.”

For example, he said there are “10 loads” remaining on East Sunset Drive, which equates to two days of hauling.

The city’s landfill is near Glencoe, and the best-case turnaround time is 30 minutes to 45 minutes, but it can be longer because of traffic, truck breakdowns, the need to stop for fuel or if it’s close to lunchtime.

Jackson said he’s gotten complaints that the loader trucks are speeding, but countered that they’re only capable of 45 mph or 50 mph, “and that may be downhill.”

Once the trucks arrive at the landfill, the debris must be approved, weighed and ground up to meet Alabama Department of Environmental Management regulations, and documented for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ford noted that burning it was not an option, legally.

“There’s so much stuff out there,” Jackson said. “In my 28 years with the city, I’ve never seen anything like this as far as being able to get (debris) up.”

He said the recent heat wave also was stressful on crews, who according to Ford have been working four-day, 10-hour shifts to try to maximize the number of people on the scene.

“They’re busting it as hard and as fast as they can,” Jackson said.

Council member Chris Robinson, who represents District 7 where the damage was centered, said residents are frustrated, but are understanding once they’re reached out to. “This is a unique situation,” he said.

And council member Jason Wilson asked people in the area to collectively make larger debris piles with their neighbors if they can, instead of having smaller individual ones in front of their houses. He said that will be more efficient, and keep Public Works from “having to make as many stops, and they can turn the trucks a lot faster.”

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: City of Gadsden working to clear storm debris from Lookout Mountain