- My home was damaged or received water during the recent flooding and storms. What steps should I take to handle the damages and the debris?
- First, you should contact your insurance company to file a claim.
- You should also document your property damage(s) by taking photographs.
- You should contact the Houston 311 customer center to notify the city of your damage(s). This will help identify your address and area as needing debris collection service.
- Is there a particular manner that my debris should be placed at the curb?
- Yes, debris should be separated as follows and placed away from any obstruction/impediments (mailboxes, fire hydrants, water meters, etc.):
- Normal household trash goes in your black garbage container. It will be collected by the City on your normal garbage service day.
- Vegetative Debris (Logs and Trees) should be place separately in a stacked pile. Limbs/trunks and branches should be cut to 36” lengths.
- Construction & Demolition Material should be place in its own pile. This type of debris includes building materials, carpet/padding, furniture, treated lumber, mattresses, etc.
- White Goods (Appliances) should be placed separately and their doors secured with tape (to protect kids). White goods include refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters.
- v. Electronics should be placed together. E-waste includes computers, stereos, televisions or other items with a cord.
- vi. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) should be placed together. HHW includes batteries, oils, lawn chemicals, pesticides and cleaning supplies.
- Further information and instruction for debris placement can be found at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, or the Solid Waste Management Department’s Facebook page.
- Yes, debris should be separated as follows and placed away from any obstruction/impediments (mailboxes, fire hydrants, water meters, etc.):
- My garbage/yard waste/Recycling was not collected due to the storm. When will the city return?
- Monday’s garbage will be collected Tuesday, April 19, 2016 and Tuesday’s garbage will be collected Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Thursday and Friday’s garbage will be collected on their normal days.
- Yard waste will be collected on the same schedule as stated in 3-a. above.
- Recycling will be collected on the same schedule as listed is 3-a above.
- Are Neighborhood Depositories sites available to me if I’d like to get rid of my own debris or uncollected recycling?
- Yes. Any Houston resident can use a Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center. Effective immediately, the depository sites will be open 7 days per week. A notice of the effective date of the extra days is posted at www.houstonsolidwaste.org.
- Residents who use the depositories simply need to show an ID and utility bill for service.
- Is there somewhere I can take my HHW if I don’t want to wait for City crews to come by for collection?
- Yes. Any City of Houston resident can take HHW to the City’s Environmental Service Center at 11500 South Post Oak. HHW can be dropped off every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The center also receives HHW on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Should there be a need; the hours may be increased to accommodate the demand for service.
- When will the City begin debris collection operations?
- Collections will begin as soon as the City’s plans are accepted by the State Department of Emergency Management. Typically, debris operations begin after the receipt of a disaster declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). A request for the disaster declaration has been made to FEMA by the Governor’s office.
- My container floated away during the flood period. How do I get another one?
- Please contact 311 to report your lost container. The department will deliver a replacement within 5 – 7 business days.
- I live in an apartment complex and was flooded. What should I do with my debris?
- As this is a commercial property, it is the responsibility of your owner/management company to make provisions for the collection and removal of debris.
- My business flooded what should I do?
- You should contact your insurance agent and file a claim for remediation. A part of your claim would include any debris demolition and removal.