Smith County roads update and debris removal

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews continue to clear roadways following Tuesday’s storm. According to a release from the county, crews spent all day Tuesday, May 28, clearing more than 40 roads that had downed trees from an early morning storm. Calls were received Wednesday morning that newly downed trees were over two County Roads 446 and 1230. CR 113 has been barricaded and closed due to water over the road. Road and Bridge crews are waiting on Oncor to safely remove the power lines before they can clear the trees on County Road 382. CR 2326 is closed due to a power line across the road.

A group of about 30 volunteers from the International ALERT Academy will be working in Smith County Thursday to help clean up damage left by the storms. Smith County Emergency Management personnel will be giving the group a list of people who have requested help with cleaning up damage and debris on their property.

Smith County residents who live on county roads and have tree debris from Tuesday’s storm can place it in the right-of-way and Road and Bridge crews will pick it up. A Smith County news release states this is only for people living on Smith County roads. Officials ask residents to be patient with this service, as it will take time to pick up storm damage throughout the county, which suffered widespread damages on Tuesday, May 28. Road and Bridge is also providing this service to the Bullard and Emerald Bay area that suffered heavy storm damage on May 23. Crews ask resident to only place tree debris, such as limbs, on the right-of-way (not on the road). Workers cannot go on private property or pick up debris on city or state roads. They will not pick up any other type of debris, such as metal or debris from buildings.