Officials Ask Residents To Delay Clean-Up Until After Second Round Of Storms
Sep 8, 2020, 6:49 PM | Updated: 8:22 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As Utahns assess the damage from Tuesday’s high winds, authorities warned the storm will continue through Tuesday night, and residents should hold off on clean-up efforts until the weather event ends on Wednesday.
Residents across northern Utah reported uprooted trees that smashed homes and cars, downed power lines and overturned semi-trucks.
“We ask people to be safe. We know it’s in the nature of Utahns to go out and help and clean things up. That’s what we do and that’s what we do best,” Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox said.
Cox said now is not the time for that.
“When it comes to clean up – starting tomorrow, we know that neighbors are going to reach out and everybody in the state of Utah is going to come out to help,” he said.
More high winds in excess of 70 mph are expected again Tuesday night into part of Wednesday morning.
“The other piece going along with the ongoing event is flying debris. Again, we’re expecting winds to be gusting to very high velocities and they will pick up debris and they will move it through the air. Obviously, if you’re hit by something heavy it’s going to hurt right?” said Clint Mecham, Salt Lake County emergency manager.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall echoed those concerns, tweeting, “Please hold off on cleanup until the storm has passed. It’s still dangerous out there and will be through the night.”
If you’re like me, your yard is a mess right now. But please hold off on cleanup until the storm has passed. It’s still dangerous out there and will be through the night. If trees are blocking sidewalks or roads, call 801-972-7818 or fill out this form https://t.co/pKs6LiXQ1z pic.twitter.com/BgFo7upm05
— SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) September 8, 2020
A separate tweet said, “Also, we’ve heard reports that people are visiting parks to observe the damage. Please do not visit parks and public spaces today. Let’s give our power crews crews plenty of room to do the important work to restore service.”
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said residents will be able to dispose of their green waste at the landfill for free starting Friday. She said the free disposal will last for at least a week.
