Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - After the July wind event that brought down hundreds of trees and caused millions of dollars in damage, the regular order of city business continues with leaf collection beginning in November.

On the KGVO City Talk segment on Talk Back, our featured guest was Brian Hensel, Deputy Public Works Director for Streets, who appeared in the studio to talk about the yearly leaf pickup effort.

Brian Hensel Asks Homeowners to Keep Leaf Piles and Storm Debris Separate

Hensel asked the public to keep leaf piles and storm debris piles separate.

“I just want to let the public know that as we go through leaf collection, we do not want leaves mixed with the branch piles, and the main reason for that is when we pick up these piles of branches, we have to take the tailgates down on our dump trucks,” began Hensel. “Well, imagine hauling leaves and branches with the tailgates down. It wouldn't be leaf collection, it would be leaf dispersion.”

Hensel said there is only a limited amount of time left to complete the leaf collection.

Hensel Said There Will Be a Limited Time for Debris Collection

“The one thing I also want to mention, with this first round of leaf collection, is that we are probably going to send another crew out to try and get any of the piles we can in advance,” he said. “But after leaf collection, no more piles. We don't want any more branches out in the street. From now on, this is it. If you still have branches that need to be trimmed or taken down. Please take them to Missoula compost. Do not put them out in the street, because this is it. We're done.”

Hensel said Missoula’s winter weather regularly wreaks havoc on the city’s leaf collection effort.

“When it snows, leaf collection stops,” he said. “I have to shut that down, and then we go plow streets. So it's hard enough as it is. We normally can get through the bulk collection with the loaders typically, but not necessarily on our schedule because of winter this year. I'm not exactly sure how much the branch piles are going to slow us down, but we usually get that done street sweeping following behind on the loaders. We typically don't get the whole city done.”

READ MORE: Key Dates for Missoula Leaf Collection in 2024

Hensel Said There are Four Areas Scheduled for Leaf Pickup

Hensel said there is a regular schedule for leaf pickup.

“We always start in area one first, which is the Rattlesnake, Downtown, Grant Creek, and then we move into what's area two, which is primarily the University district and Slant Streets,” he said. "A lot of times we have to start, usually at the first part of November, so that that gives us enough time to work all the way through the city before typical winter starts. We usually switch to winter shift on the first week of December, so that's just one month to try and get all the leaves picked up.”

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

More From 93.3 Eagle Country