Beryl storm debris

Still Have Storm Debris?

8/22/24 – If you still have storm debris from Hurricane Beryl, what you do by when depends on where you live and what you need picked up. Procedures and deadlines differ for:

  • Harris County Precinct 3 Unincorporated Areas
  • City of Houston
  • Montgomery County

This post describes what people in those areas need to do to ensure their debris gets removed. Read thoroughly and act swiftly. Some deadlines are only days away.

Beryl debris. Scenes like this were reported throughout the Houston Area and not all have been removed.

The City of Humble has completed its cleanup effort and so is not included in this post.

Harris County Precinct 3 Unincorporated Areas

The final deadline for reporting storm debris is Monday, September 2. If you still have storm debris in your yard, please be sure to place it at the curb and report it for final pickup. You can do so online or by phone.

To report online:
  1. Visit pct3.com/service-request
  2. Select “Road & Bridge Maintenance” in the service menu
  3. Type “Hurricane Beryl Debris” in the comments section
To report by phone:

Call 713-274-3100 during business hours, Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 4:30 PM.

Instructions:

Please remember to separate your debris for efficient pickup! Visit www.pct3.com or see below for separation guidelines.

From Harris County Precinct 3 Newsletter on 8/22/24.

City of Houston

The City’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) collected more than 2.1 million cubic yards of Beryl-related storm debris by August 15. The Department expects to conclude the first pass of storm collections by Saturday, August 31.

In preparation for the next phase of debris collections, SWMD requests residents to place all remaining storm debris at the curbside no later than Sunday, August 25. The department will begin the second pass in earnest on Monday, September 2.

“Residents do not need to report their storm debris to 3-1-1.”

Houston Solid Waste Management Department

“Storm debris contractors will drive down every street and collect storm debris piles in all public rights of way,” explained this Solid Waste webpage.

SWMD urges residents to:

  • Separate storm debris from bulk waste, and demolition and construction debris at the curbside. Contaminated debris piles might delay collection until the next bulk waste month.
  • Ensure that tree trunks are 3 feet or less in diameter and 3 feet or less in length and tree branches are 6 feet or less in length.
  • Place debris piles within 10 feet onto private property lines as crews cannot encroach beyond that limit.

Beryl struck before the Derecho cleanup finished. Beryl alone created an estimated 4 million cubic yards of storm debris – enough to fill NRG Stadium. So please be patient.

Montgomery County

To have Beryl storm debris picked up, Montgomery County residents must register by August 30. Click this link to begin registration.

If you are still waiting on the first or second passes, make sure you RE-REGISTER and upload a debris photo.

  • Property owners must fill out a debris removal survey to ensure your vegetative debris will be picked up— tree branches, trees stumps, tree trunks, and branches.
  • Place vegetative debris as close to road/curb as possible. But do not block ditches or the roadway.

Montgomery County is only picking up vegetative debris. The county is not removing appliances, demolition debris or construction waste.

DO:

  • Ensure debris is easily accessible
  • Place it away from obstacles like trees, poles, fire hydrants, meters, mailboxes, or any other structure that could hinder removal
  • Place it in a county or city right of way.
DON’T:
  • Block roadways or ditches. Avoid blocking water flow.
  • Include non-storm-related debris: Only storm-related vegetative debris will be collected.
  • Use trash bags for tree debris.
  • Place debris on private property: Collection is limited to the County/City right-of-way.
  • Place debris in gated communities: Collection does not occur in gated communities.
  • Obstruct traffic: Avoid placing debris in a way that could pose hazards for drivers.

Make sure you follow FEMA debris removal guidelines.

Residents who live on cul-de-sacs or dead end streets require special equipment to maneuver in tighter areas. That may take longer, so please have patience.

Montgomery County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) is handling the Beryl response. The information provided when you register will enhance their ability to allocate resources appropriately and expedite the debris removal process.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/22/2024

2550 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 45 since Beryl