Helene clean-up continues

Three and a half months have passed since Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented destruction to Emanuel County, and while the road to recovery has been long, progress continues steadily. We’re incredibly grateful for the patience and understanding our residents have shown during this challenging time. As we shifted focus back to managing other essential county operations, we recognize this left a gap in updates about the clean-up. We’re here now to address those concerns and provide a status update.

Progress So Far

When debris collection began in mid-October, TFR Enterprises initially estimated 700,000 cubic yards of debris across Emanuel County. However, as crews worked, it became clear the scale of the destruction far exceeded initial assessments. Hidden debris behind homes and in other hard-to-see areas brought to the roadside added significantly to the total. As of today, more than 800,000 cubic yards have been collected. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly the size of 100 football fields stacked with debris!

This progress was achieved despite operating with fewer resources than expected. Due to Hurricane Milton hitting Florida shortly after Helene, TFR had to reallocate trucks and manpower, starting our clean-up with just 10 or 12 trucks instead of the planned 20 to 24. Over time, TFR’s workforce here grew 21 trucks and is expected to reach 30 by the end of next week. This work was also completed despite the crews taking well-deserved breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. However, in the name of transparency, we’ll be honest: we still have a way to go because we now estimate the total debris collected will exceed 1.5 million cubic yards, making this a $30 to $40 million project.

FEMA Reimbursement and Funding

Fortunately, we remain committed to ensuring that no local tax dollars are used to fund this cleanup campaign. FEMA will reimburse 100 percent of costs for debris collected through February 7. After that, reimbursement drops to at least 75 percent. To avoid additional expenses for taxpayers, we are actively lobbying state and federal representatives to extend the 100 percent reimbursement period to 180 days. No decisions have been made yet, but if that changes, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, please know that completing the cleanup with minimal financial impact is a top priority.

FAQs and Clarifications

Are crews still here?

Yes! This is an understandable question because they did take some time off for the holidays, but they’re phased back in now.

When are crews leaving?

We do not have a date circled on a calendar to anticipate their departure. The Emanuel County commissioners’ end goal is to clear 100 percent of debris, and TFR is aware of this.

Why was my pile skipped?

TFR determines the most efficient routes for cleanup, based on FEMA guidelines and their expertise in maximizing reimbursement. If a pile was skipped, it does not mean it won’t be collected. Crews will return to every area to meet the shared goal of collecting 100 percent of eligible debris.

As a reminder: vegetative debris and construction/demolition (C&D) debris must be in separate piles and placed as close to the road as possible without blocking utilities or power lines.

Additionally, FEMA has notified us that some whole, undeveloped lots have been cleared and disposed of next to the road. Debris from undeveloped lots or anything not caused directly by Hurricane Helene is not eligible for reimbursement and will not be collected. Please be mindful of the guidelines we shared early on: only downed trees and C&D debris caused by the storm will be picked up.

Most importantly, please realize that TFR gets paid based on the volume of debris collected, not the time they spend here. That means it’s in their best interest to collect as quickly as possible, which aligns with our shared goal of clearing 100 percent of debris.

Do I need to report my property for debris pickup?

No. There is no need to call or add your name to any list. Crews are working systematically across the county.

Can I burn my debris?

There is no county burn ban in effect, and we would like to take this time to suggest alternative disposal methods. However, because the commission has not implemented a burn ban, you ultimately can burn if you so choose. Should that, in fact, be your choice, burn responsibly. We do not need one catastrophe to turn into another. That means adhering to the state’s guidance on burn conditions and procedures.

Why are there safety issues around crews?

TFR is responsible for safety measures, including flaggers and signage. The county has emphasized the importance of maintaining safety protocols. Now, we ask you, the drivers in our community, to do your part as well: leave a little earlier, slow down, drive for not only yourself but your fellow motorists, and exercise caution when you’re in an area where crews are working.

When will crews get to my road?

This question is understandably one of the most asked. As many of you know, Emanuel County is the sixth-largest county in Georgia. It’s often something we see as a feather in our cap. But, that comes with the pitfall of having one of the largest road systems in the state. Couple the size of our county and its road system with widespread damage across nearly every area corner of Emanuel and it’s clear why there isn’t an easy or straightforward answer. Even TFR, who specializes in this work, has remarked on the uniqueness and unprecedented scale of Helene’s impact here at home.

That said, we’re working hard to address frustrations. Last week, we met with TFR to refocus their efforts. Progress has been steady, though not as fast as some may wish, and we understand those frustrations. The debris creates hazardous conditions, and the cleanup crews can slow traffic. We know how hard it is; we live, work, and play here, too. But rest assured, the work is ongoing, and every area will eventually see cleanup.

Why haven’t I seen crews in my area?

Emanuel County is vast, and TFR’s approach is to have multiple trucks working simultaneously across different areas of the county. It’s entirely possible that while you’re not seeing crews in your neighborhood because they’re actively working in other parts of the county. This method allows for steady progress across the entire region and ensures every area gets attention as efficiently as possible.

What about stumps?

Lots of you have asked about stumps. These will be collected by TFR at a later time. They require specialized equipment and handling, which is why they’re not collected immediately alongside other debris.

What’s the status of the hotline?

We’ve heard from many of you about challenges reaching TFR’s hotline—from busy signals to full mailboxes. Unfortunately, this hotline is entirely managed by TFR, not the county. We’ve communicated your concerns to them and continue to urge them to improve accessibility.

A Call for Patience and Understanding

We know this process hasn’t been easy, and we understand the frustrations caused by delays and temporary inconveniences. But, we knew early on this would be an extensive, tedious, time-consuming task, and so we ask you to think back to where we started and how far we’ve come. We went from nearly all county roads blocked the morning after Helene to, weeks later, piles of debris on the roadside to, now, about half of those piles cleared.

Your patience and understanding have already made a world of difference, and we ask you to stick with us as we finish the job. TFR and your county leaders are fully committed to transforming Emanuel County from a place to clean to The Place to Grow again.