Let the cleanup begin

The July 22 storm that took Johnson County residents by surprise also left many with a yard full of downed limbs and brush.

Following is a list of how a handful of cities are helping residents clean up after the storm. If your community is not listed, check with your local disposal company, or your city, for help.

▪ In Shawnee, proof-of-residency is required. Drop-off locations are at Johnson Drive and Renner Road or Gum Springs Park at 67th and Nieman. Sites are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Saturday.

▪ In Lenexa drop-off will be open 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at the Lenexa Municipal Services Center, 7700 Cottonwood St. (Entrance is across from Mill Creek Elementary School).

▪ In Prairie Village, residents should wait for trash day to get rid of their downed limbs. Prairie Village contracted with two companies to pick up debris. Tie limbs into bundles no longer than 4 feet. On Thursday, larger limbs will be collected. Those must be cut into sections less than 10 feet.

▪ Overland Park residents can drop off yard debris at Young’s Pool, 8421 W. 77th St., from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through July 30. Residents must have proof of residency to drop off debris.

▪  In Olathe, residents may take limbs and brush to the Composting Facility at 127th St. and Hedge Lane, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday. Disposing yard waste at the Composting Facility is free for all Olathe residents. Tree limbs and brush may be picked up through curbside collection on regularly scheduled trash and recycling service days. Limbs must be properly bundled, less than 4 feet in length and less than 50 pounds in weight.

▪ In Mission, the city will accept fallen limbs at Mohawk Park at 67th and Lamar Avenue through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Visit the city’s site at www.missionks.org for more information about pickup of smaller branches and brush.

▪ The City of Roeland Park will begin a free citywide tree debris pickup Saturday. Crews will have the capacity to chip limbs up to 12 inches in diameter. Larger diameter limbs will be picked up special equipment. The contractor will continue the work through Sunday if needed. Residents are responsible for cutting and stacking limbs curbside including limbs from trees located in the right-of-way. Brush must be stacked neatly at curbside for pick-up, even if it came off of a tree within the public right-of-way. Limbs should not block the sidewalk or stick out into the street. Branches should be no longer than 8 feet long.

This story was originally published July 25, 2017 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Let the cleanup begin."