Hurricane Preparedness

SWLogo

Hurricane Debris Collection Information

Are you prepared for hurricane season? There are important steps that should be taken before, during and after a storm.

hurricane image 6-2017

Hurricane season officially begins June 1st and ends November 30th.

It is time to start making preparations such as tree trimming and cleaning out unwanted debris. The City urges all residents to prepare NOW. Please make a plan before a storm arrives to help keep your family and home safe. Read below to learn how you can prepare.

PRIOR TO HURRICANE SEASON
Residents are reminded that any materials generated by land clearing, contractor tree companies, or landscapers are not included in the City's scheduled pickup services, and ultimately becomes the responsibility of the homeowner to be disposed of. Vegetation or waste materials of any kind should never be placed on someone else's property or vacant land.

  • Please trim trees and shrubbery regularly. Cut weak branches and thin out foliage to decrease the chance that trees/plants will be uprooted.
  • Place properly cut tree trimmings curbside on your regular scheduled collection day and follow the 6/6 rule (each limb must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length) and must be clear of any obstructions.
  • Use the city-issued automated black cart for small tree trimmings such as pine needles, leaves, twigs, etc.
  • Clean your yard of any items that could become missiles in a storm such as broken lawn furniture and place curbside on your bulk waste collection day.

ONCE A STORM HAS BEEN NAMED

  • Do not cut down trees or do major yard work.
  • Do not begin construction projects that produce debris.
  • Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind. Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the collection process and there is not enough equipment or manpower to handle the additional material before the storm makes landfall.
  • Please secure your carts so they do not become flying debris.

DURING A STORM - ALL Solid Waste services are suspended.



debris-removal-guidelines FEMA

AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED

  • Please separate yard waste from other types of rubbish. Again, keep all household garbage, vegetation and miscellaneous debris separate. This is extremely important!!
  • Securely containerize all household garbage in the city issued 96 gallon automated carts or plastic bags and place curbside on your scheduled collection day.
  • Please do not place debris within 5' of a fence, vehicle, mailbox, power line, poles, downed electrical wiring or storm drains.
  • PLEASE BE PATIENT! Following a storm, Solid Waste #1 Priority is the collection of household garbage. Uncollected garbage attracts pests and contributes to the spread of disease. Garbage should never be mixed with vegetation or storm debris, which can wait for pick up.

PROCESS:

  1. Clean vegetation will be collected on the first pass with hurricane debris on subsequent passes
  2. All debris generated from construction, remodeling or demolition activity are NOT INCLUDED as part of your normal Solid Waste services.
  3. Please do not call and ask that trucks be pulled from scheduled routes to pick up your own debris first. Deviation from carefully planned routes, causes delays in the entire process and creates a burden on those with the greatest need.
  4. Storm debris collection could take 30 to 45 days, and possibly longer in some cases.

After a Hurricane: Check your local media advisories for information regarding the resumption of waste collection. For more information, contact the Solid Waste Division at 772-467-3826.