Hurricane Preparedness

Is your yard ready for hurricane season?

Regarding the cutting of vegetation, garbage, and storm debris there are steps that should be taken before, during, and after a storm. Please save this information so that you can be prepared.

Pre-Hurricane Maintenance

Cut back all trees and weak branches that make contact with your home.

Thin your foliage so the wind can flow freely through branches, decreasing the chance that trees/plants will be uprooted.

Place tree trimmings at curbside on your regular scheduled collection day and follow the 6/40 rule (i.e., each piece cannot exceed 6 feet in length or 40 lbs. in weight) and must be clear of any obstructions.

Containerize your tree trimmings such as pine needles, leaves, twigs, etc. in plastic bags.

Clean your yard of any items that could become missiles in a storm such as broken lawn furniture, etc., and call FWB Solid Waste Division for a special pick up on Fridays.

Once The Storm Has Been Named

Do not cut down trees or do any major yard work.

Do not begin construction projects that produce debris.

Once a Hurricane Watch or Warning is issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind. Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the normal collection process and there is not enough equipment or manpower to collect the additional material once the storm makes landfall.

Do not place materials at the curb or take materials to the landfill or transfer facility during a Watch or Warning period. Services may be suspended and facilities closed early to prepare for the storm.

For information on the status of our facilities, residents should consult the website at FWB.org or monitor local radio and/or television stations for service updates.

After The Storm Has Passed

Please keep all household garbage, recycling, vegetation, and storm debris separate. This is extremely important!

Securely containerize all household garbage in plastic bags or City issued 90-gallon automated cans and place them at the curb on your scheduled collection day.

Please be patient! Following a storm, Solid Waste's Number 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.

Storm Debris

Never place any debris near or on a fence, mailbox, power line equipment, water hydrants, poles, transformers, downed wires, water meters, or storm drains. Hidden electrical hazards can injure or kill collection personnel.

There is no reimbursement provided to any individual resident, homeowner association, or commercial business that hires a private contractor to remove and dispose of storm-related debris.

All debris generated from storm events, construction, remodeling, or demolition activity is not included as part of your normal Solid Waste Services.