If you thought you'd have a couple of weeks to move your debris from the July 24th storm to the curb for pickup by the City of Missoula, you may end up having to dispose of the pile on your own.

That's because that phase of the cleanup is going much faster than expected.

Residents are being advised to keep up with the changing schedule on the Missoula Storm website.

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It looked like a longer project

When Public Works crews started the curbside collection of trees, limbs, and other debris from the storm on Tuesday, it was estimated the project would take "4 to 6 weeks."

But just a couple of days in, crews had already finished with the Rattlesnake and the University District.

"It is going a little faster than anticipated and so for that reason, we're asking that people be ready and to make sure that they don't have mixed debris," Deputy Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Nick Holloway tells me, saying the service is not for people to dispose of anything other than trees.

"So don't mix in other yard waste like grass into your debris pile. Just have it be storm-related, vegetative debris. So that's tree branches and those kinds of things."

He says since the work is going quickly, residents should check the website for the latest info.

RELATED: This Week it Was Billings' Turn for a Big Storm

Dennis Bragg photo
Dennis Bragg photo
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Helping out

Residents are asked to cut their debris into 6-foot sections and stack it neatly.

"Right, don't block bike lanes, alleyways, roads, or where people are parking," Holloway advises.

"And whenever possible, we're really asking that people take in their own debris into one of the disposal sites, Larchmont Triangle or the North Side or Garden City Compost. It just makes the process go a little faster and helps us clear everything a little more efficiently."

A map of those disposal drop-off sites is also on the website.  

The Aftermath of the Severe Thunderstorm in Missoula, Montana - July 2024

The National Weather Service cited 80 mph winds at the Missoula Montana Airport and over 100 mph winds at the apex of Mount Sentinel. Powerful winds left behind a path of broken trees, downed power lines, failing traffic lights, and debris as far as the eye can see.

Gallery Credit: Ace

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