Two weeks after a severe storm pummeled City neighborhoods downing power lines, and felling numerous trees, City of Elgin officials anticipate having all storm damage cleaned up by Friday, Aug. 4.
The City of Elgin was one of the areas hardest hit by a severe rain and wind storm that caused extensive damage on Monday, July 17. ComEd estimated that more than 10,000 Elgin customers were without power at the height of the storm. The City also fielded more than 550 storm-related calls.
A block-by-block cleanup effort began on the City’s south side Wednesday, July 26 and enabled residents to place all tree limbs and branches curbside for crews to pick up. Since July 17, City crews have been hauling 50 to 80 cubic yards of wood waste away daily.
“That’s the equivalent to about 10 garbage trucks filled with wood waste,” said David Lawry, General Services Group Director. “There was a tremendous amount of damage to Elgin streets and neighborhoods and we’ve been working every day – sometimes 12 hours a day trying to get everything cleaned up. And in this heat, it’s been enormously taxing on our crews.”
The City’s Public Works and Forestry Departments had four crews of about three men working over the last 12 days to handle the added work load.
“We initially used some contract help at a cost of about $60,000,” said Lawry. “But we expect that cost to go up to $120,000 in contractual cleanup costs. We’re still calculating the personnel cost to the City.”
City crews will be collecting storm damage debris from residential tree banks through Aug. 4. Branches and limbs should be cut into 5-ft to 6 ft. sections to help facilitate pick-up.
“We want to encourage residents to get out all debris as soon as possible to help facilitate the completion of the cleanup expected by Friday,” said Lawry. “After Friday, residents should tie debris into bundles 5-ft in length, two-feet in diameter for Waste Management pickup. Those bundles should also not exceed 40-pounds.”
For more information contact Elgin’s Public Works Department at (847) 697-3160.