The City of Monroe announced on March 13 that it is entering the final phase of debris removal following Winter Storm Fern and will not extend its contract with Southern Disaster Recovery. The city estimates that about 70 percent of debris pickup has been completed, with more than 33,000 tons collected across Monroe.
Officials said the remaining cleanup will be handled by city crews rather than outside contractors. This decision was made based on the city’s operational capabilities and a commitment to responsible use of taxpayer funds.
Mayor Friday Ellis said, “I’m proud of the teamwork between Southern Disaster Recovery and our Public Works crews in clearing debris from the winter ice storm. As we move into the final phase, we’re focused on finishing the cleanup efficiently while managing City resources responsibly. Our goal is to make sure every dollar works as hard as our crews do.”
The city will continue to monitor progress as municipal workers finish removing storm debris. No end date for completion was provided.
This approach reflects an effort by Monroe officials to balance efficient disaster recovery with fiscal responsibility.
