TIFTON — Tift County has announced a storm debris removal program to aid in the post-hurricane cleanup effort.

As a means of assisting county residents in disposing of fallen trees, limbs, and other such detritus caused by Hurricane Helene, the county will have its waste removal contractor Golden Environmental hard at work cleaning up the debris around the county beginning Oct. 7.

Residents can place their storm-related debris, such as limbs, trees, and bushes, along the curbside, edge of right-of-way, or behind roadside ditches to have Golden pick up and dispose of it on their behalf, provided the debris is cut into sections no longer than five feet.

County officials have stressed that the debris must be placed in these areas and away from the roads so the roadway stays clear for drivers. If the debris is too large to be moved to one of these areas, officials have stated that it is the responsibility of the property owner to dispose of it.

Additionally, logs with a total circumference greater than 20 feet cannot be picked up by Golden, and will instead require larger equipment — and more time to get said equipment to the area. Residents have been asked to be patient in regards to these cases.

Golden will not pick up or dispose of construction-related material, such as shingles, lumber, drywall or metal. Instead, this debris must be taken to the Tifton-Tift County Landfill, located at 445 Mitchell Store Road.