It seems like a job that will never end, but Missoula residents are running out of time to clear their properties of debris from July’s storm and dispose of it for free.
The city has already had to close some of the landfills set up after the storm. They are simply full. At a landfill near Fort Missoula, debris is 20 feet high and spread over several acres.
And if you haven’t sorted it out yet, here’s why you’re better off taking care of it over the weekend—or expecting to pay to clean up the mess.
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Dennis Bragg Photo
Tons of trees
Within hours of the severe storm that swept through the valley on July 24, knocking down or damaging thousands of trees of all shapes and sizes, the city and county set up several disposal sites. Within days, the sites began to fill up as residents removed truckload after truckload from their homes, yards and businesses.
Dennis Bragg Photo
The parking lot at Dornblaser Stadium was closed a few weeks ago. And the Larchmont Triangle parking lot in Fort Missoula has also been closed for a week. Yet people have continued to dump trash there. And that could cause space problems when chipping begins in a few days.
The city’s last “free” parking lot on the north side is still open, but will close next week. And Garden City Compost will also be charging.
Where else can I leave debris from the Missoula storm?
The Northside Pit Lot on Scott Street will be permanently closed at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 2nd.
Garden City Compost on Clark Lane is closed Sunday and will continue to accept debris and other non-storm materials from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. But normal operations will resume Tuesday, and that means the city will start charging again.
What happens next?
Agreements are currently being made with contractors to purchase huge industrial chippers. I am told that these are huge machines and that the areas around the dumps will be closed off for safety reasons.
The aftermath of the severe thunderstorm in Missoula, Montana – July 2024
The National Weather Service reported winds of 80 mph at the Missoula Montana airport and over 100 mph at the summit of Mount Sentinel. The strong winds left a trail of fallen trees, downed power lines, broken traffic lights and debris as far as the eye can see.
Gallery Credits: Ace
