Hurricane Helene Debris Removal

Milestone timeline:

Debris Removal & Monitoring Contracts Signed
Completed: Oct 2, 2024
October 3, 2024
Temporary Debris Monitoring Site (TDMS) Acquired
Completed: Oct 4, 2024
October 5, 2024
Access Road Constructed
Completed: Oct 14, 2024
October 7, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 1,704 cubic yards
Completed: Oct 12, 2024
October 12, 2024
Debris Removal Begins through the Town
Completed: Oct 14, 2024
October 14, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 31,725 cubic yards
Completed: Oct 19, 2024
October 19, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 52,883 cubic yards
Completed: Oct 24, 2024
October 24, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 95,798 cubic yards
Completed: Nov 1, 2024
November 1, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 113,950 cubic yards. This is almost 1/3 of the way to collecting all of The Town's debris!
Completed: Nov 7, 2024
November 7, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 137,889 cubic yards.
Completed: Nov 14, 2024
November 14, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 166,686 cubic yards.
Completed: Nov 21, 2024
November 21, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 186,165 cubic yards. Along with 45,255 cubic yards of mulch processed.
Completed: Nov 27, 2024
November 27, 2024
Debris Collection to Date: 230,070 cy; Processed and Removed 68,131 cy of wood chips
Completed: Dec 13, 2024
December 13, 2024

Shortly after Tropical Storm Helene left the area, the Town began moving forward with a debris management and removal process. To ensure transparency, effectiveness, and full reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the Town utilized pre-existing state bid contracts with two contractors - Southern Disaster Recovery, for removal, and DebrisTech for debris removal monitoring. This process began on Saturday, October 12, 2024 after the Town constructed an access road for a temporary debris removal site (TDMS). 

In an effort to provide up to date information for all residents, the Town will begin posting daily reports from our debris monitoring company. These reports show the amount of debris picked up on a daily basis and the amount removed for the entirety of the project. The reports also show the numbers and diameter of trees removed deemed dangerous to the public right of way and hanging limbs (called "hangers") removed to date. These PDFs will be updated each day, Monday-Friday, until work concludes.

Additionally, the Town created a Frequently Asked Questions sheet to dispel rumors and misinformation regarding the debris removal process. This FAQ sheet also provides significant information regarding the Town's costs, amounts of debris, and how the work is being conducted.

All of these items are attached within this Project Dashboard. Please feel free to review the information and contact the Town for any additional questions. 

 

 

Debris Pick Up Insight

The debris removal team is taking tons of brush away per day (literally!). Please visit the links below to view some video footage of the process. You'll be able to catch a glimpse of these important stages of debris removal. 

As more videos are uploaded, they will be posted in chronological order.   

 
 

Industrial Wood Chipper in Operation

Full Chip Truck leaving TMDS

Loading Processed Wood Chips into Tractor Trailer

Industrial Woodchipper at TDMS - Video 1

Industrial Woodchipper at TDMS - Video 2

Hyper-lapsed, aerial view of Town Debris Site

Debris Truck - Arriving

Debris Truck - Unloading

Debris Truck - Finishing

 

Documents

Citizen Information Sheets
TOBF Debris Removal FAQ - Updated 11/4/24
Citizen Information Sheets
TOBF Debris Removal Illustration
Daily Debris Removal Info Sheets
Daily Info Sheet through 12/20/24
The industrial wood chipper getting a short break
Another, closer look, at the industrial wood chipper at TMDS
A closer look at a debris pile at TMDS
TDMS continually growing - as of 10/30/24 there has been 84,385.5 cubic yards picked up.
The debris piles continue to build - they're nearly the same height as the trucks now!
One of the many paths through TMDS as more debris is collected
6-foot tall man beside large debris pile
Temp Debris Mgmt Site  (TDMS)

Project Updates

Chipper Arrives on Site
Monday, October 28, 2024

The exceptionally large chipper that will be utilized on the Town's TDMS arrived this afternoon. This chipper will process the 350,000 cubic yards of debris brought to the site and turn the material into wood chips that will be processed and used in further applications across the world.