Severe Storm Cleanup Updates from the Streets Division

Storm Cleanup Updates for May 22: Road Blockage Updates, Resident Brush Collection Update, Drop-off Sites Updates, and Free Mulch in Parks

Below are updates from the Streets Division regarding the ongoing storm clean-up operations.

Road Blockage Updates and Completion Expectation

Roughly 150 streets in Madison were mostly or completely blocked due to this storm, and we have received 7 reports of trees that have fallen onto homes.  And at last count, we have received approximately 400 unique reports of damage of varying priorities that require an Urban Forestry response.  The service call number continues to grow as hundreds more reports are still being sorted and triaged, and more calls and messages continue to be received.

If residents have damage to report on public trees, please use the Tree Concern report-a-problem form at www.cityofmadison.com/ReportAProblem and crews will response as soon as possible.

Urban Forestry crews have been working since 9:00pm (May 21, 2024) to clear these blockages.  And clearing the blocked roads remains the highest priority. It is the goal of remove blockages from the roads and remove any public trees that have fallen on homes, by 7:00pm Thursday, May 23.

One complicating factor of achieving that goal are trees that have fallen and become entangled by power lines.  This makes clearing these blockages far more complicated as the process must involve the expertise of Madison Gas and Electric to safely handle these extremely dangerous situations.

This storm was severe and produced widespread damage.  Your patience is greatly appreciated as we continue to work through these needs.

Resident Brush Collection

The Streets Division has a goal of providing every Madison resident a brush collection opportunity before Friday, June 14, 2024.

At the time of this release’s publication, the additional set out dates for the storm clean up collection round have yet to be published to the Streets Division’s brush collection website.  They will be available soon.

When the dates are available on the brush collection website, an additional release will be published so residents will know exactly when they can set out brush from this storm so the Streets Division will collect it.

Temporary Rule Changes for the Drop-off Sites

In response to the storm, there are two notable changes for the drop-off sites.

Wednesday, May 29 – Sycamore & South Point Will Be Open 7:30am to 7:00pm

Due to the volume of brush generated by the storm, the drop-off sites at 4602 Sycamore Avenue at 402 South Point Rd will be open on a special one-day only Wednesday. It will be only Wednesday, May 29, 2024. City of Madison residents and taxpayers can use these drop-off sites between the hours of 7:30am and 7:00pm.  Proof of residency or taxpayer status is required.  Size restrictions and other drop-off site rules will apply. Multiple Trips Allowed for Brush Until June 1, 2024

In an effort to help residents work through the abundance of brush created by the storm, residents will be allowed to make multiple trips to the drop-off sites starting today. They will be allowed to make multiple trips for brush only to the sites until June 1, 2024. Attempts to make multiple trips for other material, such as excess trash, will be denied use to the site. Multiple trips are only allowed for brush. As a reminder, “brush” woody material property owners cut from trees, like branches and tree limbs, that are between 18 inches and 8 feet in length.

At the time of this publication, the Streets Division drop-off sites webpage does not yet have these temporary rule changes listed, but they will soon be published to include this information.

Free Mulch in Select Parks Beginning on Friday, May 24 at 12:00pm

Starting at 12:00pm, Elver, Demetral, Warner, and Garner Park will have free wood mulch available for residents. Supplies will be limited, and mulch will be stocked when staffing and mulch availability allows.  Reporting that mulch sites are empty will not hasten the restocking of the sites.

The mulch is intended for Madison residents only, so please no landscapers or other businesses. The wood mulch that is available has been created primarily from the storm damaged trees.

At the time of this publication, the Streets Division’s wood mulch website does not yet have details regarding the precise locations of the free mulch.  However, when the details are available, they will be posted to www.cityofmadison.com/Mulch.

Additional Updates

As clean-up work progresses, more updates about the ongoing work for Streets and Urban Forestry crews will be published. Questions: Bryan Johnson, Recycling Coordinator/Public Information Officer, bjohnson2@cityofmadison.com, 608-267-2626.