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Edited on Mon Sep-05-05 03:01 PM by trof
I worked for a FEMA debris cleanup contractor after Ivan.
I believe the entire states of LA and MS have been declared federal disaster areas.
Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama have been too, and possibly a few others.
You can go to www.fema.gov and find out if you are in one.
There may be some local exceptions where you live, but this is how it was for us.
And it's free of charge to you.
If you still have a home, but have a lot of debris, these are the rules:
There are three types of debris:
1. Yard waste. Downed trees and limbs. Basically anything that was growing prior to the storm.
2. Construction debris. Anything from (or within) a structure. Roofing, siding, lumber, docks, glass, masonry, carpet, furniture, mattresses, etc.
3. White goods. Appliances. Washers, dryers, fridges, freezers, water heaters, heat pumps, furnaces, air conditioners, etc.
Any manufactured goods.
These must be put in separate piles if at all possible.
Normally, the three types will be going to different types of landfills.
Landfills that are approved for yard waste aren't approved for white goods, etc.
The crews are working as fast as possible, and can't stop to sort and "cherry-pick" through piles of mixed debris.
What usually happens is that trucks, grapplers, backhoes and such will make enough passes down your street to remove all the yard waste. Then they'll come back and pick up construction debris, and finally white goods.
The private contractors hired by your town are usually only allowed to remove debris from the street right-of-way. It's up to you to haul it from your yard to there. You cannot "hire" the government contractor to do this.
Also, if you hire your own contractor, don't let them charge you a "tipping" fee for hauling it to the dump. The town/FEMA does not charge you for this.
For the worst hit areas, it may be some time before the pickup crews are onsite and organized. Please be patient.
And be kind to these folks. They work their butts off, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week until they're finished, and it is bone-grindingly hard, hot work. Many have brought all their own food, water, and housing (RVs, campers,etc.) with them. Their living conditions aren't much better than yours.
Salvaging fridges and freezers:
If they were in only a few inches of water, they're probably shot. Even if they run now, most have the motors in the bottom and they'll eventually rust out and quit. Be sure and tell you insurance adjuster if they were in water.
If they had no water damage, but just spoiled or rotten food, first disinfect them with soap and water AND Lysol, diluted bleach, or some such. Stubborn odors MAY be alleviated with a good wipe down with vinegar, AFTER DISINFECTING.
Lastly, if your home was totally destroyed, I think the government contractors may have permission to just clear the whole lot. Check with local officials on this.
If you have any questions, I'll be around, and good luck.
trof
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