local
Detroit residents frustrated as storm debris remains more than a week after severe weather
By Noelle Friel, Sara Schulz at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 15, 2026
· 2 min read
More than a week after severe storms moved through Metro Detroit , piles of fallen branches and debris remained along the curb Tuesday on Griggs Avenue on Detroit’s west side, causing headaches for residents as the city said it’s continuing to respond to a “record number” of reports of storm damag...
Key takeaway Residents said they hauled the limbs from their yards and stacked them curbside after the storms earlier this month, then spent days calling the city’s Forestry Division for help.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The lingering storm debris on Griggs Avenue is a stark reminder of the challenges Detroit's forestry and public works teams face in responding to severe weather events. With city trees lining the street, the burden falls on residents to haul and stack branches curbside, only to wait for what feels like an eternity for pickup. The notice from Waste Management requiring debris to be cut and bundled for pickup adds another layer of complexity, particularly for residents like Oria McClain and Ashielia Thomas, who are worried about the hazards posed to families and children. As the city prioritizes trees blocking streets and sidewalks, it's clear that a more streamlined communication process is needed to manage resident expectations and provide timely updates on debris removal. The fact that the debris on Griggs Avenue was scheduled for pickup just a day after residents received notices from Waste Management suggests that the city is working to address the issue, but more needs to be done to prevent similar frustrations in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? More than a week after severe storms moved through Metro Detroit, piles of fallen branches and debris remained along the curb Tuesday on Griggs Avenue on Detroit’s west side, causing headaches for residents as the city said it’s continuing to respond to a “record number” of reports of storm damag...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Noelle Friel, Sara Schulz at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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