Debris removal crews have been working in Tamarac since Tuesday, Sept. 12 – just 2 days after Hurricane Irma struck. The process is slow. Even though they’re working 7 days a week, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm, just a fraction of the 200,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected.
It’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- While we were fortunate in the limited amount of building damage, Irma blew down a significant number of trees. Collection takes time.
- Impacting the situation is the unprecedented demand for debris removal crews. Almost the entire state of Florida was affected by Irma. But crews are still working in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. And, there’s a new, dramatic need in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. The reality is that crews are in short supply.
- We are clearing debris from the main roads first, and then working our way into neighborhoods. The City has been reaching out to homeowner associations for access into private communities. To speed up the process, please move your community’s debris as close to a public roadway as possible – without interfering with traffic.
- Regular bulk collection has been temporarily suspended for both single and multi-family homes.
It’s not pretty, but in time, the debris will be gone. The grass beneath it will again be green and Tamarac will once again look like the vibrant community we are. Realistically, it will take longer than anyone wants. We ask your patience as we continue to work to get everything cleared as quickly as possible.