Debris still litters city 1 month after Matthew

Public Works still collecting hurricane debris around Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s been just over a month since Hurricane Matthew caused millions of dollars of damage in North Florida and the clean up continues.

Many streets in Jacksonville are still lined with debris piles.

One of the dump areas on the Southside is now filled with mounds of trees and other yard waste. Much of it has been mulched, but it's still coming in, and there is going to be a lot more.

So far, the city has collected about 800,000 cubic yards of debris.

City officials said contractors have just about finished the first rounds of debris pickup and have already begun on the second round, which will focus first on areas bordering the east side of the St. Johns River, including Mandarin, San Jose, Arlington and the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

They said the city has 4,124 miles of roads and that the final 39 miles of road were collected Thursday, meeting the 30-day requirement the city set for a first pass on debris.

But Herb Ellis, who lives on the Southside off Parental Home Road, said there are still huge piles of trees along his street. He said the city did come through once, but there is still more work to be done.

“I think they are doing a fairly good job,” Ellis said. “I'm not sure we have enough trucks. I do see them driving by a lot, not picking up things. I had a few trucks drive by. One even stopped in front of the house, looked at the piles and then drove off.”

Debris still litters most parts of town.

Some residents said nothing has been picked up, and others said it’s been scattered.

Construction debris, including fences, drywall, and other storm debris that is not vegetation has not yet been collected. Public Works officials said the city's Solid Waste Division will assume collection of those materials during its normal "bulky waste" collections.


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Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.