City Adds Fifth and Final Debris Pass for New Orleans East Tornado Recovery

NEW ORLEANS – (RealEstateRama) — The City of New Orleans announced it will add its fifth and final pass for debris removal from residential properties in the area most impacted by the Tornado (Chantilly Drive to Bullard Avenue and from Chef Menteur Highway to Dwyer Road) from Tuesday, Mar. 21 to Friday, Mar. 24. This will allow residents additional time to move debris from their properties to the area between the sidewalk and the curb. To ensure pick-up, all debris must be separated into their proper piles no later than Friday, Mar. 24. At the conclusion of the first four passes, over 15,000 tons of debris had been cleared from the impacted area.

The City continues to work with organizations coordinating volunteer clean-up opportunities in New Orleans East. Residents that need assistance with cleaning up debris can call 2-1-1 to register with Crisis Cleanup. By registering with Crisis Cleanup, residents will be connected to volunteer organizations working in the affected area to provide clean-up and other rebuilding services

Guidelines for Pick-Up and Separation

All debris must be placed in front of your property in the area between the sidewalk and curb. Regular household garbage and recycling will be picked up on normal collection days.

• Debris piles are not to be placed on neutral grounds, next to utility poles, trees, mail boxes, electric or water meters, fire hydrants or blocking any storm drains or travel lanes in the street.
• Debris should be separated as follows: household garbage, construction debris, vegetative debris, household hazardous waste, white goods, and electronics.
• Citizens do not have to cut and bundle branches in 4-feet lengths during this designated debris removal period in the impacted area. Leaves should be bagged.
• Only debris resulting from the recent tornado is eligible for collection by the City’s contractors.
• Debris from contractors, including demolitions, is not eligible for collection by the City or its debris contractors.  Private disposal arrangements must be made.

Crews from the Departments of the Sanitation and Parks and Parkways will remove debris and address damaged trees outside the impacted area. Calls for debris piles and damaged trees on the public right of way, street lights, street signs and other matters, outside of the area bounded by Chantilly Drive to Bullard Avenue and from Chef Menteur Highway to Dwyer Road, should be directed to 311.

In order for debris clearing crews to work as efficiently as possible, vehicle’s found blocking debris piles, may be moved to a nearby location, out of the debris clearing zone, by the City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Works. There is no fee associated with the moving of vehicles and it will be done to ensure a timely clean-up. If individuals are unable to find their vehicles, please call Parking Enforcement at (504) 658-8200.

To continue the recovery effort, it is essential owners begin to secure their properties. All property owners are encouraged to board up windows and doors to prevent further damage, if renovations are not scheduled in the immediate future.

Commercial Properties

We are reminding owners of commercial businesses, vacant properties, schools and churches that they are ineligible for removal of debris by the City of New Orleans or its debris contractors.  As a result, businesses and/or the property’s owners must promptly make the necessary private arrangements for the containment and proper disposal of debris in order for the area to fully recover.  To find out if you qualify for assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA), please visit https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness/disaster-assistance .Guidelines for Commercial Debris Containment and Disposal

• All debris must be placed in a dumpster or a vehicle capable of transporting the debris to disposal.
• A permit is required from the Department of Public Works to locate a dumpster in public view in the City of New Orleans in accordance with Section 146-585 of the City Code.   Also in accordance with the City Code, all dumpsters must have the name, address and phone number of the owner of the dumpster, permanently affixed to each side of the dumpster.  Applications for dumpster permits can be submitted through the City’s One Stop process (http://onestopapp.nola.gov/Redirect.aspx?module=permits&typeID=79 ).  There is a $40.00 application fee as well as a fee, if the dumpster is placed on the public right-of way.
• If a transport vehicle is utilized, City Code requires that contents be securely fastened or covered to avoid windblown debris on public right of ways
• Debris containers are not to be placed on neutral grounds, next to utility poles, trees, mail boxes, electric or water meters, fire hydrants or blocking any storm drains or travel lanes in the street.