Kaysville Residents Want Giant Pile Of Storm Debris Removed

KAYSVILLE, Utah – Cleanup from September’s wild windstorm was still far from over in parts of Utah and people in a Kaysville neighborhood have been eager to get rid of a giant pile of debris.

It would take months for Kaysville Public Works to remove the pile on its own and that’s why the city planned to hire a private contractor for the job.

It couldn’t be quick enough for resident Shanna Simkins. The view from her backyard has not been quite what it used to be. She watched as the pile grew.

“It was a constant stream of every kind of vehicle, coming through with loads,” she said.

The temporary drop-off site was set up following hurricane-force winds that dragged down hundreds of trees and power lines. The damage was so severe that Gov. Gary Herbert declared a state of emergency.

Simkins said city workers told her at the time it wouldn’t be there long.

“Yeah, and they said two weeks,” she said. “It’s been more than a month now.”

“At the very beginning of the windstorm event, we placed some dumpsters out there at that very same site, and they just were overwhelmed,” said Shayne Scott, Kaysville City manager.

According to Scott, the site represented the last of the city’s cleanup, and it will take some time even for professionals to get it all cleared out.

He said the job should be finished by the end of the month.

“We’ve been working with our own fire department on safely having that debris pile where it is,” Scott said. “Fortunately, it’s got enough space between it and homes and other structures where there’s not a safety concern at this time.”

Simkins was concerned that the potential for a storm over the weekend could blow debris into her yard. She’s also worried about debris on the walking trail right next to it.

“The neighborhood children ride their bikes and their scooters around here. It’s a hazard,” Scott added.

Scott said the city has already reached out to some contractors. Clearing the pile could start by the end of the week.