NEWS

Last week, both the City of Savannah and Chatham County issued guidelines for removing debris and garbage due to Hurricane Matthew. The instructions are as follows:
 

CHATHAM COUNTY:

Chatham County is beginning its recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Chatham County residents are asked to place any storm generated debris on the public right-of way. The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Keep vegetative debris (woody burnable debris such as limbs and shrubbery) separated from construction and demolition debris, as they will be collected separately. Bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way. Only loose debris will be collected. Any roof shingles or tires resulting from Hurricane Matthew may be eligible for removal and should be separated at the curb. Do not place debris near any water meter vault, fire hydrant or any other above-ground utility. Only debris placed on the public right-of-way will be eligible for collection until further notice. If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right-of-way for collection on subsequent passes.

Chatham County has opened all three solid waste drop off locations: Chevis Road, Wilmington Island, and Sharon Park. These sites are only for residents. Commercial debris will not be accepted. The drop off centers will be open normal hours. For the schedule visit ChathamCounty.org.

City of Savannah:

• There will be no garbage collection on Monday, Oct 17; services will resume as soon as possible on a modified holiday schedule (information on modified schedule will be forthcoming).
• Due to widespread loss of refrigeration and health issues from food spoilage, garbage removal will receive priority. Therefore recycling collection is suspended until further notice. Recycle carts should be used for garbage overflows.
• The Dean Forest Road Landfill (1325 Dean Forest Road) will be open starting Tuesday for direct haul of garbage (city residents & paid subscribers from unincorporated Chatham County only). Additional garbage drop-off sites may be opened if necessary.

  Handling of Storm Debris:

• Clean vegetative material should be placed curbside, preferably at the regular point of yard waste collection if possible.
• Follow regular set-out guidelines to the extent practical (cut branches to 4 feet and stack them; loose leaves in brown paper yard waste bags or container).
• Following regular guidelines allows more material to be carried per truckload and speeds up the overall collection effort.

     The City Needs Your Help:

• Please adhere to storm debris set-out guidelines.
• Limit materials set out to storm-related items only. Now is not the time to clean out the closet or garage.
• Do not mix and mingle different debris types; this only creates more work and slows the overall process down.
• Do not place debris in the roadway.
• Do not blow leaves or other vegetation into the street.