City of Gary launches storm debris recovery effort

GARY, IND. -- The City of Gary is launching storm debris removal operations today to expedite restoration activities following the August 11 derecho.

“As we come together to advance the debris removal effort, the City of Gary can take pride that together we are moving forward from a position of emergency response to a mindset of recovery and resilience,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “Through this important work, we can see our efforts are not just about cleaning up debris but about restoring neighborhoods, reconnecting families and rebuilding stronger."

Gary has assembled a number of crucial partners to advance this effort. EGIS engineering consulting will assist the city with FEMA and HUD grant management, damage assessments and overall recovery coordination, while Thompson Consulting will oversee debris tracking to support an efficient and accountable storm debris removal operation.

“Recovering from a storm of this magnitude will take time, but we are moving forward with a coordinated effort to clean up our neighborhoods and help Gary rebound stronger than before,” stated Mayor Melton. “Residents here have a key role to play in this work, and I want to thank them for their patience and cooperation as crews work neighborhood by neighborhood. I also want to thank, Thompson Consulting, EGIS and AshBritt for partnering with the city and helping us take the next important steps in our recovery. From assessing damage and managing our federal recovery resources to tracking and removing debris from our neighborhoods, each of these partners has an important role in helping Gary recover.”

As part of the city’s ongoing recovery efforts, AshBritt, a national disaster recovery and environmental services contractor, has been hired to conduct curbside storm debris collection throughout Gary.

The debris removal process

Collection crews will begin in South Glen Park and North Miller, working inward through the city as the operation progresses.

Residents are asked to prepare their debris for collection by separating it into two distinct piles:

1. Vegetative waste – tree limbs, branches and other vegetation.
2. Construction debris – building materials and other debris resulting from storm damage.

AshBritt will make separate collection passes for each material type.

Residents should:

• Keep debris organized and separated into piles at the curb.
• Move parked vehicles off the street. Vehicles blocking collection routes may prevent crews from servicing a street.
• Take photographs of debris before collection for insurance and documentation purposes.
• Not mix different types of debris together.
• Understand that the storm debris that is clogging streets and yards must be safely removed and legally disposed of in permitted landfills.

Temporary employment opportunity

• Thompson Consulting is hiring locally for debris monitors.
• If you are at least 18, have a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle and a smartphone, you can apply today on Indeed.
• The expedited debris collection will continue for 30 days.