Cleaning up After Ivan

Sep 20th, 2004

City of Mobile Crews are out in full force collecting garbage working their normal schedules just four days after Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf Coast.

Garbage crews began their normal Monday collection routes today, but they expect heavier than usual loads. Public Services Executive Director John Bell says because of the missed collection days last Thursday and Friday combined with people cleaning out refrigerators throwing away spoiled food, the amount of garbage awaiting collection will be much greater than normal.

Downed trees and power lines, as well as hurricane debris piled on curbs will also make collecting garbage more difficult. Bell and Mayor Mike Dow want to reassure residents that their garbage will be picked up as quickly as possible. They ask residents to please be patient. “If our crews run out of time today and miss any homes that normally get Monday garbage collection, our workers will be back out tomorrow and take care of those homes first before they start on their Tuesday routes,” Dow said. If all the regular Tuesday collection is not completed, city crews will work overtime on Wednesday to finish. If streets are still blocked, residents should place their garbage at the end of their street at the intersection. City trucks will stop to pick up the bags or empty the cans.

One note on automated garbage collection:
As you know, the city’s expanded collection program was postponed for two weeks until October 4th due to the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. We ask all residents who live in districts 2,3 & 5 who recently received their new automated carts NOT to use them until the new date of the program. We ask residents who have already put garbage in their new carts ahead of time to please take the garbage bags out of the carts and place them on the curbs for pick up. All hurricane debris should be put on the curb-not in the new carts or in the street.

For more information contact
Gina Gregory 208-7590