The brush cleanup from the severe storms that bustled across North Texas a few weeks ago continues.
As previously covered by The Dallas Express, the storms disrupted air travel, left thousands without power, and caused considerable property damage.
In Plano, many residential areas still have a lot of brush and debris, even though the city authorities have been working seven days a week and using heavy equipment to make headway.
As of June 23, 794 truckloads of debris and brush have been collected, representing just 47% of the first sweep. On Saturday alone, 53 truckloads of storm debris were hauled away.
The efforts have cost the City of Plano an additional $600,000 so far, which went to Ceres Environmental, a pre-contracted vendor. However, due to the sheer volume of debris, Plano Mayor John Muns has asked residents to be patient, warning that although the work is being done “diligently … [i]t won’t be easy and it won’t be fast.”
With this in mind, the City of Plano has suspended weekly scheduled yard debris collections until at least July 1 to focus on the cleanup process. Meanwhile, the storm debris efforts will continue through July, per WFAA.
“Some areas are taking longer because there is more debris. Crews are still working in South Central Plano, between Independence and Highway 75, and Spring Creek and George Bush Turnpike,” the city website reads.
An interactive map on the city website lets residents learn when brush crews will be in the area.
“Weekly scheduled yard debris collections will be sus[encted until approximately July 1 as we shift to an emergency yard debris cleanup process,” the city website reads.
Regular yard debris can be put out with debris piles and will be picked up during the citywide debris sweep.
Debris should be neatly stacked in piles, each no larger than six feet by four feet by four feet. Residents should place the debris piles at their regular collection points, at least two feet from the trees, fences, utility boxes, gas meters, and vehicles. Piles should not overhang the curb into the street or onto the sidewalk.
Alternatively, storm debris can be taken directly to the Custer Road Transfer Station at 9901 Custer Road in Plano. Residents can dump two free loads per month by showing their water bill and driver’s license. Otherwise, there is a minimum charge of $60 at a rate of $20 per cubic yard.
As the city’s website warns, there could be a long wait at the transfer station, and its operating hours — usually Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — could vary due to a daily capacity limit.