The winter blast has left cities and towns across Hamilton County scrambling to provide some basic services, such as garbage pickup, for residents.
“The streets aren’t really safe for garbage trucks,” said Eddie Phillips, city manager for East Ridge. “It was a lot bigger snow than people realized.”
Chattanooga announced Tuesday it would suspend garbage pickup for the rest of the week. Officials in other Hamilton County cities said they would evaluate conditions day by day and either pick up garbage over the weekend or work extra hours over the next few days to pick up trash.
Richard Beeland, spokesman for Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, said he is trying to update the city’s website about city services as fast as possible, but the magnitude of the winter storm left departments scrambling. He admitted that has left some confusion between the city’s 311 service and the city’s Public Works Department.
“We ask everyone to be patient,” Beeland said. “This is a major weather event.”
Honna Rogers, Signal Mountain’s town manager, said she closed Town Hall for the first time since she has been employed by the municipality.
“With town hall closed, we really haven’t even been able to update the website,” she said.
She said she talked to officials in Signal Mountain’s Public Works Department and the town plans to run all garbage routes Thursday and Friday.
Phillips said East Ridge would continue “playing it day by day,” but the city may need to do garbage pickup on the weekend.
“Everyone’s concerned the streets aren’t going to get better,” he said.
Dwight Montague, Lookout Mountain town manager, said the city missed its trash pickup day Monday, but officials hope to pick up garbage Thursday.
Ted Rogers, Collegedale city manager, said City Hall has been closed the last two days. He said some garbage service has run.
“We’re getting to it as we can,” he said.
Hardy Stulce, Soddy-Daisy city manager, said garbage service there may be delayed until next week.
Chris Dorsey, Red Bank city manager, said his city also may have to take a week off on garbage service.
“We don’t want to,” he said. “We’re just waiting to see how the roads are and asking the public to be patient with us. If we have to start back up next week, we’ll double up.”