Hurricane yard debris cleanup is part of life in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Even a weak storm can leave branches, palm fronds and broken fence pieces all over your yard. A little prep before the storm makes the cleanup after it a lot easier. Here's how to handle both.
Before the storm: prep your yard
Trim early
Trim dead branches and heavy palm fronds well before a storm is on the way. Don't wait until the cone is pointed at you. A loose pile of branches sitting at the curb when the wind picks up can turn into flying debris.
Secure the loose stuff
- Bring in patio furniture, grills, potted plants and kids' toys.
- Tie down or store trash cans.
- Clear gutters and drains so water has somewhere to go.
- Get rid of old junk sitting outside, like a broken trampoline or old lawn chairs.
If your garage is too full to fit the patio furniture, now is a great time for a garage cleanout.
After the storm: safety first
Before you start dragging branches around, take a careful look.
- Stay away from downed power lines. Treat every wire as live and call your power company.
- Watch for hanging limbs. A branch stuck up in a tree can fall at any time.
- Wear gloves and closed shoes. Storm debris is full of nails, glass and sharp edges.
- Don't overdo it in the heat. Take breaks and drink water. This is not the time to set a deadlift record.
City storm debris pickup
After a big storm, most cities run special debris pickups. They can be a big help, but they can take a while. Every street in the county is waiting at the same time, so your pile may sit out for days or weeks.
Separate your piles
Cities usually want storm debris sorted, and each city has its own rules. Common categories are:
- Vegetation, like branches, leaves and fronds
- Construction debris, like fencing, roofing and drywall
- Appliances
- Household junk and furniture
Check your city's website for how they want it sorted and where to put it. Mixed piles often get skipped. Keep piles clear of meters, drains, mailboxes and fire hydrants.
When to call us
If you don't want to wait for the city, or your pile is bigger than they'll take, we can haul it. We take:
- Branches, fronds and yard debris that's already down
- Broken fencing and screen enclosure pieces
- Damaged patio furniture and outdoor junk
- Water-damaged furniture and drywall from inside
- Ruined appliances, as part of our appliance removal
We price by how much of our trailer the debris fills, from a minimum load of $105 to $125 up to a full load of $600 to $650. Heavy stuff like wet wood or roofing may be priced by weight. Long carries to the back yard can change the price too.
What we don't do
We don't cut down standing trees or grind stumps. If a tree is still up, leaning or on your house, call a licensed tree service first. Once it's cut and on the ground, we can haul the pieces away.
More details are on our yard and storm debris removal page.
Related service: Yard & Storm Debris Removal