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Commission hears update on hurricane debris: FEMA covering 80% now; county and DOT coordination continues
Summary
Staff said most debris collection has moved into an 80-percent FEMA coverage phase; a large grinding pile at the county site is a fire and disease risk and remains FEMA property until final disposition.
Planning staff briefed the commission on post-hurricane debris removal and grinding operations. Staff said contractors have completed about 80 percent of the work for FEMA reimbursement; FEMA will cover 80 percent of eligible costs and the state has indicated it intends to provide the remaining 20 percent for the current cleanup phase. Staff warned that FEMA’s coverage steps down by deadline and that counties risk losing reimbursement if extra debris is placed after the last pass.
Staff described a very large pile of ground debris at the county FEMA drop site behind the Generac industrial park and advised commissioners to inspect the site if they wished. “If you just want to see an absolutely enormous pile of debris, just drive behind Generac at the industrial park,” staff said. Staff said the pile is still green wood and very acidic; piled green material can self-heat and smoke and might ignite if allowed to accumulate.
Staff explained that debris already counted by FEMA is FEMA property and not available to the public; what happens to the ground material after FEMA concludes its operation has not been decided. County staff said other counties have contracted hauling operations to move ground material off-site for reuse, but Edgefield’s pile will remain under FEMA control until FEMA completes its process and relinquishes the material.
Officials also said that a substantial portion of storm damage remains on private and public lands outside collection sites, including the national forest and large tracts where downed trees will rot in place.
