TEMPLE, Texas — Storm clean up across Bell County is expected to take several months. The City of Temple has contracted a company to help but there's still a long way to go.
City staff showed 6 News on Tuesday how extensive the clean up operation is that they have underway. All operations are busy from the free brush drop-off, to the city landfill, to the contractor that the city hired to pick up brush around the city.
"Here at the solid waste complex it has been a revolving door. We've had trucks after trucks and trailers bring in brush," said Justin Brantley, the city's solid waste director. "The city landfill has about a 15 percent increase in traffic and roughly 300 more tons a day than what normal business is."
Although busier, Brantley said it's business as usual and they're rolling with what they can. He said they typically like to limit their services to Temple's residents, but have been opening it up for people because of the circumstances.
"I think we had 40 trucks on Saturday that came in and we're not typically open on Saturday," Brantley said. "We just opened last Saturday because we knew the demand was there. During the week, it's probably 50 to 60 trucks coming in a day."
One of the returning visitors at the Solid Waste Complex is Hook and Ladder Tree Service.
"Total -- we've probably hauled away close to about 30 tons right now," said Ryan Moffenbier, the owner of Hook and Ladder Tree Service.
He said he's made dozens of drops between the solid waste complex and the Temple Landfill. Moffenbier said the storm aftermath that he has seen across the city is heartbreaking.
"It's absolutely devastating," he added. "It looks like the hand of God pushed every tree over. Just absolutely took the whole tree and either snapped it in half or just laid it directly on the ground."
Moffenbier had more trips to make when 6 News talked to him Tuesday. In fact, Brantley believes people will be looking for places to put their brush for the next several months because some streets in town have 50 truckloads worth of brush.
"It's gonna take us that long to collect what's on the curb," Brantley said. "People are gonna get tired of seeing their debris on the curb and they're gonna bring it to themselves. I encourage that. If we're not getting to you fast enough, you're welcome to bring it to us."
Residents can take brush to the Solid Waste Complex for free at 2611 E Ave H. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. However, it's brush only.
The landfill is also open, it is located at 706 Landfill Rd. in Temple. Residents can begin taking brush and bulk to this location. Note that it will cost you.