Garbage, trash services, debris removal will increase Monday [with gallery]
Published 3:19 pm Saturday, September 9, 2017
Port Arthur lost nine residential garbage trucks and six commercial trucks, as well as dump trucks when the operations center flooded.
The debris shows how high the water rose.
Tractors were not immune.
Public transit also was damaged
The debris shows how high the water rose.
Port Arthur’s operation center sustained huge losses
Port Arthur’s director of public works is asking for the public’s patience as the city replenishes its fleet to resume garbage and trash collection, with more help expected Monday.
Armando Gutierrez Jr. said the city is off to a slow start.
“We lost nine residential garbage trucks and six commercial trucks, as well as dump trucks,” Gutierrez said.
But help has arrived in the form of a contract with Crowder Gulf, a New Jersey disaster recovery and debris management company which will haul away flood debris, like building materials and furniture. The company will haul debris from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, he said.
“Trash pickup restarted about five minutes ago,” Gutierrez said Friday morning. “On Monday, the effort will build up more.”
Port Arthur residents may use the landfill, 4732 Highway 73 West, at no charge. The landfill is open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.
Gutierrez said city residents should bring a water bill and identification. White goods (appliances) cannot go in the landfill, he said.
Gutierrez said if an item won’t fit in the kitchen garbage can, it shouldn’t be put out with garbage. Garbage pickup is for organic items, he said.
The city’s fleet losses were enormous, including nine garbage residential trucks, six commercial trucks, dump trucks, small vehicles, and personal vehicles that were parked at the site.
“Some were on the road and not at the site,” Gutierrez said. “The flood and losses were unprecedented.”
Meanwhile, Gutierrez asked for patience.
“We will get to them,” he said. “We are working long hours every day. We were operating 24 hours a day before storm came in at the operations center. We had some people who were trapped there. They were rescued at 1:30 a.m. They moved to city hall and slept there several nights. “
He had high praise for city employees.
“Our employees have gone out of their way,” he said. “Some lost everything and still came to work every day with a good spirit.
“This allows you to see the goodness of everyone.”
