(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Public Works announced today that more than 267 tons or about 12 tractor-trailer loads of tree debris have been cleared from District neighborhoods between Sunday and Monday after Hurricane Irene moved out of the city. Crews from the District Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Community Development, and DPW began their work Sunday morning. DPW is deploying more than 200 people to chop up large and small trees, haul limbs and clear away leaves and branches.

“I want to thank DC residents who pitched in to bundle branches and bag debris to place in the treebox spaces in front of their homes,” said DPW Director William O. Howland. “With their help, we were able to accomplish a lot in a short time, but more needs to be done before we can say we are finished.”

Director Howland said DPW crews are using a variety of types of equipment to get the job done. “We have chain saws and chippers. We are using knuckle-boom trucks to lift the heavier tree trunks and limbs from private property and public space. Our mechanical street sweepers are following their normal schedules in residential neighborhoods while additional street sweepers and alley sweepers are clearing the streets elsewhere,” he said.

“I want to remind residents that they may bring storm debris to our Ft. Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Rd., NE), weekdays between 1 pm and 5 pm and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturdays,” said Director Howland. “We welcome their help.”

Media Contacts

• Linda Grant
• (202) 497-1080