ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- As homeowners and parish officials continue to struggle with debris left behind by storms, St. Landry Parish is receiving help from the state to ramp up the cleaning phase.
Parish President Jessie Bellard said Governor Jeff Landry has signed an emergency declaration allowing the parish to use state resources to clean debris across the parish.
"Governor stepped in and said, we're going to help and we're going to fund 75% of the debris picked up," Bellard said. "They're going to pay 100% of the labor costs associated with the parish government's crews."
The parish government has been able to hire five contractors and assemble their roadcrews to begin a 10 consecutive day clean-up across the parish beginning on Monday.
"Between those ten days, we should pick up about 900 to 1,000 tons of debris," Bellard said. "If you had a tree or debris that fell and is on your property, we can go and get it from you under certain circumstances."
As the parish prepares to begin the extensive cleanup, Bellard asks residents to take time this weekend to separate the debris and leave in front of their houses or on the side of roadways so machines can pass and pick up the debris as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"We're going to have somebody answering the phones for that ten-day period of four more until night," Bellard said. "If you see a pile of lands of trees or anything on the right of way, let us know and we'll pick it up."
Bellard also asks residents in all parts of the parish to reach out to parish government and let them know which areas are in the greatest need of cleaning.
