Upper Arlington residents who lost refrigerator and freezer contents during the extended power outage now have a place to dump the spoiled food.

The city placed a dumpster at the Municipal Services Center specifically for food waste, according to an announcement on the city's official X account on Aug. 14. The dumpster sits on the north end of the visitors parking lot, just off Tremont Road.

One rule: food only. Storm debris and tree limbs are not accepted at this location.

The Municipal Services Center itself reopened to the public on Aug. 14 after closing Aug. 12 due to storm-related power outages, according to the city's storm response page.

Storm context

The Aug. 11 derecho hammered Upper Arlington with straight-line winds of 90 to 100 mph, according to a National Weather Service survey team, as 10TV reported. AEP Ohio identified the city as one of the hardest-hit areas in the Columbus metro and called the storm the most destructive the utility had seen since 2012, NBC4 reported.

A city spokesperson told NBC4 that 75 homes sustained tree damage, and Upper Arlington fire and police departments received about 225 calls for service during the storm.

"It will be a day to remember, and we're just hoping electricity comes back on. That's what we want is electricity," Wellesley Drive resident Colleen Shaw told NBC4 on Aug. 12, as crews worked in her neighborhood near the high school.

What else residents should know

Curbside chipping starts Aug. 17. Crews will make one pass through the community to chip or remove eligible storm debris. Branches must be no larger than 10 inches in diameter and 12 feet long. No fencing, yard waste or debris in containers. Residents should have material at the curb by Monday morning.

SNAP participants who lost food may be eligible for replacement benefits through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Upper Arlington Schools delayed the start of the 2026-27 school year to Aug. 17, after power outages forced the district to push back from the original Aug. 12 start date.

Financial assistance is available through the Upper Arlington Community Foundation's Good Neighbor Fund for residents navigating storm impacts.

Residents can report non-emergency storm damage by calling 614-459-2800, as we reported Aug. 12. For emergencies, call 911.