Storm cleanup continues

Remnants of Winter Storm Mara linger but are being taken away.

As of March 3, Elgin’s municipal government reports 80% of limb and brush piles in Ward 1 have been collected. Ward 3 pickups began last Friday and are expected to continue at least through this week.

“Public works crews continue to work on debris removal from Winter Storm Mara. Ward 1 is nearly cleared, with the west side of Main Street and Monterey areas to be started early nextweek,” said municipal staff in its Friday update. “Please give crews the space they need to work,and slow down in work areas.”

Mara blew through Bastrop County and much of the U.S. Jan. 31-Feb. 3. Power outages, icy roads, freezing rain and temperatures, and downed trees forced closures and effectively kept residents home for days. Mayor Theresa McShan issued a disaster declaration Feb. 6, and Gov. Greg Abbott added Bastrop County to the state’s relevant disaster declaration Feb. 20.

The city is providing free limb and tree removal curbside. Approximately 3,200 cubic yards of limbs or brush had been collected through last week. Public works had been processing the debris through a rented chipper but were expecting their own chipper Tuesday, March 7.

Other limb disposal options in the Elgin area include Fenske Sand and Gravel, Hornsby Bend BioSolids Management Plant, Austin Wood Recycling and Texas Trash.com. The Elgin Chamber of Commerce offers alternatives as well.

For more information, visit https://www.elgintexas.gov.