TEMPLE, Texas — Bell County Judge David Blackburn announced on Tuesday morning the county had contracted a private company to haul away the massive amounts of brush and debris left behind by the May 22 storms.
Speaking at the Bell County Commissioner's regular meeting, Blackburn said Ceres would focus its efforts on the unincorporated areas of Bell County.
Blackburn said the company would provide several trucks a day to begin hauling away brush that was placed in the right-of-way by the end of the week.
A schedule for the pickups was expected to be released by the end of the week, but Blackburn said Ceres would divide affected areas into zones. In the meantime, he encouraged everyone to move their brush into the right-of-way and have patience.
“It’s likely going to be a continuing challenge for the next several weeks,” Blackburn said.
During a news conference on May 30, Blackburn said based on the resources available to the county at that time, it would take approximately 6 months to clear all the brush and debris.
"I will be the first to say that that is not acceptable," Blackburn said.
Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Reinhard also announced that FEMA would be operating a Disaster Recovery Center out of the Holy Trinity Catholic High School at 6608 W. Adams Ave. in Temple. The initial press release from the County said it would be at Holy Trinity Church.
Reinhard said the opening date for the facility was unknown but could be as early as this week.
The FEMA center will allow people impacted by the storms to file property damage claims and receive directions on how to get assistance from the federal government.