San Angelo Prepares Flood Debris Cleanup as Mosquito Concerns Rise

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo’s Operations Director Patrick Frerich told City Council this week that regular trash service has resumed across most of the city following recent flooding, while specialized crews will begin clearing flood debris in the hardest-hit neighborhoods starting next Monday.

In addition to debris removal, Frerich reported that mosquito control efforts are underway citywide, with intensified spraying and the use of mosquito “dunks” in standing water areas, especially in flood-affected zones where residents are spending extended time outdoors.

“There’s going to be continual mosquito problems coming in just because of those low-lying areas—it’s a perfect breeding ground,” Frerich said, urging residents to help by eliminating standing water in yards and keeping grass mowed.

"We want to let everybody know that we are spraying for mosquitoes," he said. "We have all of our mosquito rigs out spraying throughout the entire town, but in the most affected area where people are outside almost constantly all day, still moving and working out there, we're spraying that entire area, as well as providing dunks in our in our standing-water areas."

Frerich said household trash, recycling, and bulk collection are back on schedule for areas not directly impacted by flooding. However, in the worst-affected zones, city crews and firefighters are still collecting bagged trash while waiting for contracted debris removal to begin on July 21.

“This is what this company does," Frerich said. "It’s all they do. So we’re completely confident that we’ll move through this in the most expeditious way possible."

Frerich identified lower Pulliam Street and 37th Street on the city’s north side as priorities for initial debris removal, along with the Green Acres neighborhood. He urged residents in flood-affected areas to place debris as close to the curb as possible, while keeping it out of streets to maintain traffic flow.

Crews will make at least two, possibly three, passes through impacted neighborhoods to clear debris. Frerich emphasized that separating debris by type—such as construction materials, vegetation, and electronics—will help speed up the process.

“We want as much out on the street as possible for this first go around,” he said. “Otherwise, [the crews] are going to bypass it. We’ve got to come back, sort it, and then they’ll circle back around. So if we're going to be doing this in the most expeditious manner, if we can have all of that sorted out, that'll relieve the stuff in front of your home the fastest." 

The contracted cleanup crews plan to work long hours, starting at 7 a.m. and continuing into the evening, Frerich said.