The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is conducting debris removal and cleanup operations in Mayfield and Graves County in response to severe weather and tornadoes which caused widespread devastation Dec. 10-11, 2021. USACE is working under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of the state and local government to ensure safe, efficient debris removal operations.

As part of this effort, more than 130,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected and removed from the right of way in the City of Mayfield and surrounding areas in Graves County.

More than 70,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris has been hauled to an adjacent site at the West Kentucky Landfill where it will be reduced by means of incineration starting Wednesday, January 19.

Incineration is a typical method used to safely reduce a large volume of vegetative debris left after natural disasters and is being performed in full coordination with the Kentucky Division of Waste Management and the West Kentucky Landfill.

Due to the proximity of the debris pile at the West Kentucky Landfill, disruptions will be minimal. Nearby residents may see a plume of white smoke as operations commence. Safety and environmental specialists will be on site to monitor incineration and ensure it is performed safely.

“Our goal is to manage the debris in a safe manner using the most efficient and cost-effective method possible,” said George Minges, Louisville District Emergency Management Chief, “Reducing the debris via incineration is a safe and effective method which will provide additional capacity for vegetative debris as we ramp up operations.”

For more information visit: www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/KY-Tornado