The remains of a tree brought down by Tropical Storm Helene were still laying across two cars belonging to Ken Padgett on Chesterfield Street North in Aiken on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA — Debris that’s piling up from post-Helene cleanup efforts in 16 counties will be collected by state-paid contractors starting Monday, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Residents who have been clearing their yards and streets are asked to separate the mess in two different roadside piles for pickup — one for downed limbs, trees and other plant material and another for all other stuff.
Collecting it all will take time, said DOT Secretary Justin Powell.
“It’s going to be a number of weeks before that debris is removed,” he told reporters this week at a post-storm briefing.
Piles should be placed on the side of the road and not block fire hydrants, sidewalks or roads.
DOT contractors will remove debris in the following counties: Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Barnwell, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg and Union counties.
The state hired contractors for collections in counties most impacted by Tropical Storm Helene so DOT maintenance crews can focus on repairing roads damaged by the storm in those areas, according to the agency.
In other counties, DOT crews are handling collections.
The state department has more information on how to put out debris for removal on its website.