Due to the volume of storm debris, the City of Knoxville's Public Service Department is suspending its normal two-week brush collection schedules and will focus solely on clean-up and removal of trees, limbs and other debris.

Crews will be working overtime Thursday evening, Friday evening and all day Saturday (April 28-30) in an effort to remove as much damaged tree material as possible.

Residents should stack/place organic debris at the edge of their property for collection. Please try to keep debris out of the street and off of sidewalks. Large trees and limbs should be cut into manageable sections if at all possible.

Extremely large tree sections MAY require the use of different collection equipment and may not be collected immediately. The standard collection limits will be suspended at this time.

Public Service will reassess conditions on the ground Monday May 2, to determine a course of action for the next several weeks.

David Brace, deputy director of the city's Public Service Department, said Thursday that he anticipates suspending schedules for at least the next two weeks in order to completely clean up from this week's inclement weather.

A final decision, however, will not be made until after Monday's assessment.

The department's overtime plan for this week and weekend are an attempt to get the worst damage debris removed. Residents should not feel obligated to get all debris to the street by Saturday since crews will be continuing to clean neighborhoods throughout the coming weeks.