SCDOT’s Storm Debris Removal Begins Monday, Oct. 12

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) debris removal contractors will begin debris removal on Monday, Oct. 12 in the following counties impacted by the recent flooding:

• Georgetown – Trucks will be monitoring the Andrews area for pickup of storm debris.
• Horry – Trucks will be monitoring the Socastee and Longs areas for pickup of storm debris.
• Lexington – Forces will be on Cainbrook Drive; Coldstream subdivision in Irmo; and Harrogate Road in St. Andrews (near Bush River Road)
• Richland – Forest Acres area outside the Columbia city limits.
• Sumter – Forces will be in the City of Sumter in areas south and west of US-76 Business.

SCDOT’s contractors are currently prioritizing debris removal based on areas that can be safely accessed for debris removal operations.  Residents of impacted counties that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way.  Residents should not place debris on the right-of-way if they have or will receive insurance funding to privately dispose of household debris covered by their insurance policy.  SCDOT will only collect storm generated debris for which residents are not receiving insurance funding to privately dispose of.

The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:

• Construction and demolition debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such as lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures)
• Household hazardous waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
• White goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
• Vegetative debris (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)

Only loose debris will be collected, bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way

Do not place debris near a 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.  The attached flyer provides residents with a visual overview of the proper method to set debris on the right-of-way.

The SCDOT’s contractors will make multiple passes through the impacted areas.  If residents cannot safely set out debris at this time, or if contractors cannot safely enter submerged areas, additional debris removal passes will be scheduled in the near future.  The SCDOT urges all residents to make personal safety a top priority, and only set out debris if it is safe to do so at this time.

For more information, please call the SCDOT Customer Service Center toll free: 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368).