We want all residents to understand how Hurricane Debris pickup works long before a storm passes. We have a comprehensive list of what you need to do after a storm has passed and it is safe enough to go outside. The most asked questions and confusion come after the storm has passed.  Please review these guidelines before the storm to reduce confusion.

1. Assess the damage around your home. If you live in an area with powerlines; are any dangling from the pole into your yard?  You may not see downed powerlines beneath the debris. If you see a line is down, do not go into the yard to start removing debris. If there is a live wire, you may get electrocuted. Report the downed powerline before working in the yard.

2. When it is safe to remove debris, assess what you need to remove. Large trees? Limbs? Is it just sticks and leaves? 

3. Wear a protective covering. Gloves, eye covering if you're dealing with large branches, long pants, boots.  There may be insects or snakes beneath the debris that can bite or sting. If you have to use heavy equipment (chainsaw, front-end loader) make sure you know how to use it first and follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

4. If you want to bag or put your yard debris in a bin, know that Waste Pro will take it on your scheduled yard waste day. Waste Pro has a ten (10) bag limit. Anything over that will be picked up the following week. (10 at a time).  

5. Large Hurricane Debris items should be left for a contractor to collect. Waste Pro will not take unbundled, uncut branches. The City will hire a contractor to do large hauls. This debris must be left unbagged, unbinned and at the curb by the street.  

  • Do not place debris on the sidewalk
  • Do not place debris in the street
  • Do not place debris in front of a fire hydrant
  • Avoid placing debris directly under power lines or in front of an electrical box

6. Residents and Yard Clearing companies can take vegetative debris to the Seminole County Landfill or Seminole County Transfer station when the sites open. The City usually opens a site after a storm where debris can be dropped off as an alternative to waiting.

7. When will the contractor pick up my debris/can I get a day/date for the pickup?  Pick-up can take several weeks depending on the amount of debris. We cannot give a day/date/time when the hauler will be in any given neighborhood. 

Waste Pro schedules may shift in the event of a storm. Their trucks cannot do pick-ups when the storm is approaching. The city and Waste Pro will provide a schedule of when they can safely haul.  Due to variable issues, This schedule may change as the storm passes.  Please be patient and know changes can happen at the last minute. 

After a hurricane, there will be debris in nearly every neighborhood.  We have an easy guide for you to use on how to take care of your debris so that it will be picked up.

We asked that everyone PLEASE BE PATIENT with debris pick up. There are contracted haulers who will be going through every single neighborhood to pick up debris. This takes time. It could take several weeks.

Follow this guide below so you can make sure your debris is ready to be picked up.  You must separate your debris into the following categories:

  • Normal Household Trash
  • Vegetative Debris
  • Construction or Demolition Debris

Storm Debris How To

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR HURRICANE DEBRIS:


WASTE PRO PICKUP

Waste Pro Residential Yard Waste Requirements:
  • *Bagged yard waste will be limited to 10 bags per pickup.
  • Yard waste limbs should be bundled not exceeding 4 feet in length.
  • Bagged yard waste and/or bundled limbs should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • Palm fronds should not be bundled but neatly stacked to the curb for pickup.


CONTRACTOR PICKUP

Emergency Debris Removal Requirements:
  • Vegetative storm debris piles should be free of bagged debris. Bagged vegetative debris should be placed at the curb for normal residential yard waste service.
  • Do not place vegetative storm debris near public infrastructure such as fire hydrants, water meter boxes, public communication pedestals, electrical switch gears, electrical transformers and electrical pedestals.
  • Vegetative storm debris should be placed neatly at the curb not exceeding 4 feet in height.
  • Vegetative storm debris should not impede the servicing and access of mailboxes.
  • Vegetative storm debris should not impede sidewalk paths.
  • Vegetative storm debris should not be placed in the road at the curve of a corner lot.
  • Vegetative storm debris should be kept at least 30 feet from a stop sign or intersection.
  • -Storm debris should be placed within the utility strip (between the sidewalk and back of the curb) when possible.
  • Do not park vehicles adjacent to storm debris or service will not be rendered.
  • Vegetative storm debris should not be placed atop or in front of storm drain inlets.
  • Vegetative storm and household debris should be clearly separated.
  • Residential garbage and recycling carts should be placed in a location that will allow for servicing, separate from vegetative debris.
  • Vegetative storm debris should not be placed around street lights.