Hurricane debris removal continues

Debris removal from Hurricane Delta continues in St. Landry Parish and the city of Eunice despite the lack of a federal disaster declaration for the parish.
A disaster declaration would mean federal assistance will help pay for the debris removal.
Hurricane Delta ripped across south Louisiana on Oct. 9 toppling trees and tearing up roofs.
“It is going slow, but we’ve got a lot more debris than the last hurricane,” Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said.
“I was hoping that we could have it all removed, but actually it was more than we anticipated,” he added.
The city is about halfway through picking up the tree debris left by Delta.
Fontenot said when Delta struck the city and parish had completed removal of debris from Hurricane Laura, which struck on Aug. 27.
Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm. Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm that devastated the Lake Charles area.
Richard LeBouef, St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission executive director, said between 16,000 and 18,000 cubic yards of Delta debris had been picked up in the parish.
LeBouef, speaking at Parish Council meeting on Nov. 4 in Opelousas, said there are five grappler-equipped trucks picking up debris in the parish.
“I know you are getting swamped with calls, but again, we are doing the best we can with the resources we have. We are not winning any races,” he said.
LeBouef could not provide a date when the debris removal would be complete.
“The main damage that we saw ... was down around the Cankton area, down below Sunset to the parish line and also down below Swords and down in that area. So, that is what we addressed first,” he said.
A tree removal service has been engaged and is to start Monday, he said.
If there is safety issue concerning debris, LeBouef said the Solid Waste Commission office should be called, otherwise he urged patience.
Crews are working Monday through Saturday clearing debris, he said.
“I’m sorry I don’t have better news,” he said.
State DOTD is
picking up debris from state roads
On Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development issued a news release that state contractors are only able to remove debris from the state right of way.
The news release also stated:
Debris on commercial and undeveloped properties will not be removed.
Bagged debris will not be removed.
Some areas will require more than one pass and maybe up to three.
Construction and demolition debris, as well as vegetative debris, is currently being picked up and disposed of properly.
Debris, such as white goods, engines and other materials that have to be disposed of in a different manner, may be picked up at a separate time and/or sweep.
Don’t put debris on power lines, fire hydrants, utility stub outs or anything that would hinder the claw that grabs the debris.
Check www.511la.org for the latest statistical information, debris routes where there has been a pass, and where planned debris pickup is scheduled.