Aug 19, 2024

UPDATED: Recovery efforts continue in Salina following windstorm, final round of debris pickup begins today

Posted Aug 19, 2024 4:03 PM
City of Salina Logo
City of Salina Logo

City of Salina

The City of Salina continues its efforts to collect and manage the vast amount of tree and limb debris resulting from recent storms. The designated landfill limb dump site has been efficiently organized, with separate areas allocated for private vehicles and City of Salina and Saline County trucks.

As of August 10, 2024, an impressive 4,282 loads, totaling 3,489.44 tons of tree and limb debris, have been transported to the landfill by residents, commercial vehicles, and City and County personnel.

READ MORE: ðŸ“¸ UPDATED: Thousands of Salinans lose power, storm damage photos

The City of Salina extends its heartfelt thanks to the Salina Police Department, Fire Department, Saline County Road and Bridge staff, Saline County Emergency Management, Evergy crews, and all City of Salina workers who have been instrumental in the recovery efforts.

City crews, including employees from Streets, Traffic Control, Flood Control, Sanitation, Landfill, Parks, and Utilities, along with Saline County staff, continue their relentless work to clear debris from the storm. The crews are composed of truck and heavy equipment operators, chainsaw operators, flaggers/traffic blockers, and limb draggers, all playing a crucial role in the cleanup process.

Initial efforts focused on clearing streets to ensure safe passage for citizens and first responders. Current activities involve an initial pass through the city, with residents urged to stack their debris neatly at the curb by August 19, 2024. Tree debris and limbs should not exceed ten feet in length. Once the initial pass is complete, crews will conduct a final sweep through all parts of the city.

According to General Services, the final round of debris pickup will take multiple weeks. Debris pickup will likely extend into September. 

Current Equipment in Use:

- 3 City wheel loaders

- 1 Saline County wheel loader

- 1 City telehandler with grapple

- 1 City tractor with grapple

- 3 City backhoes

- 12 City dump trucks

- 3 City one-ton trucks

- 2 County dump trucks

- Various pickup and flatbed trucks, trailers, and other equipment

In the second week of recovery, six crews have been deployed across Salina, which has been divided into six zones for systematic debris removal. Crews have worked tirelessly, even during weekends, to support these efforts. It is estimated that about 45-50% of the debris has been collected so far, with recovery operations expected to continue for several more weeks.

For more information contact General Services at (785) 309-5750.