The City of Biloxi will have federally-funded debris teams on streets and in neighborhoods next week, so it’s important that residents move storm debris to the curbside.
The city’s debris contractor, Crowder Gulf Joint Venture, one of the companies that helped haul 3 million cubic yards of debris from Biloxi after Katrina, will begin working Tuesday.
“We had 3 million from Katrina, and we know that Isaac left nowhere near that amount,” city debris coordinator Jonathan Kiser said, “but we won’t have a good handle on how much there is until people move it out to the curb. It’s very important that they do that this weekend.”
Storm debris will be picked up only from public rights of way; crews will not work on private property.
Residents should avoid blocking traffic or neighboring driveways, and making sure not to place debris near fire hydrants, gas meters, utility poles or guy wires.
Crowder-Gulf will use large trucks equipped with knuckle booms to pluck debris from the streets and lift it into the trucks.
“This will be very efficient,” Kiser said, adding that crews will work during daylight hours.
The city’s federally-approved contract with Crowder Gulf has a 30-day limit.
Said Kiser: “It’s in their best interest to get this debris moved as quickly as possible. We know that’s what Mayor Holloway and the City Council want to see happen.”
Katrina debris stats: Incidentally, to see the statistics from the 3 million cubic yards of Katrina debris, click here.
Relief numbers: FEMA, 1-800-321-3362; Salvation Army, (228) 374-8301; American Red Cross, (228) 896-4511; and Catholic Charities, 855-847-0555.