Tropical Storm Harvey hit nearly four months ago, spreading damage from torrential floodwaters.

Yet there are still pockets of debris to pick up in Port Arthur.

Armando Gutierrez, public works director for the city, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will make a fourth and possibly final pass in January. Thus far, 475,000 cubic yards have been collected with a little bit more to go and a chance of reaching 500,000 cubic yards.

“Our initial estimate was that there was going to be a lot more than that,” he said. “But some houses haven’t started yet. There’s also displaced owners who haven’t been back to their houses. They have not hit the streets.”

Plans are to close out by February in order to allow 30 days remaining to process paperwork. FEMA will take a Christmas break and start back on January 5.

FEMA, however, is only picking up debris that has come in contact with floodwater. Gutierrez said progress has been made over the months and the amount of water- damaged debris is dwindling.

On the other hand, construction material from people rebuilding their homes is adding up, but is not eligible for pickup. The city will pick up that debris as household trash bi-weekly, something that’s always been provided, he said.

Gutierrez asks residents not to place construction debris on top of water-damaged debris to make pickups easier. They also need to place the debris on the right of way for pick up. FEMA is not allowed to enter private property.

“The contractor should pick up their own waste material. It’s built into the billing process,” he said. “Homeowners doing construction on their own must pay for the pickup.”

Either way, both contractors and homeowners must obtain building permits from the city for reconstruction.