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Q: When is hurricane Season?
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.
Q: I know the Village wants all residents to do regular yard
maintenance year round but what is the best time for me to
do major cutting and/or tree removal?
All major cutting and/or tree removal should be done between December
1st and April 30th. Hurricane season has ended by December and even
though we have not yet experienced a hurricane in June, it doesn’t mean it
won’t happen. There should be no cutting done from June 1st through
November 30th.
Q: Why shouldn’t I put large amounts of vegetation from
major cutting at the curb in May when hurricane season
doesn’t officially begin until June 1st?
If everyone waited until May, the collection system will become
overburdened making it impossible to collect all vegetation before a June
hurricane landfall.
Q: Does the Village collect my storm debris or is it FEMA
that provides the service?
Neither. The Village hires private contractors to collect all residential storm
debris and FEMA representatives interpret and enforce the rules of
collection.
Q: I live in a gated community or on a private road. Will the
Village collect my storm debris?
If you receive curbside collection service your storm debris will be collected
at the curb. If you reside in a multi-family unit such as a condominium and
have containerized (dumpster) service, your community will need to hire a
private company to place all storm debris at the nearest public road right-of-way
for collection.
Q: When can we expect to have the first collection of storm
debris?
Collection starts almost immediately after the storm passes. Depending on
the severity of the storm, it may be 3-6 weeks before residents receive their
first collection of storm debris.
Q: How soon will my regular garbage be collected following a
storm?
Garbage collection is priority and it will be the first thing collected following
a storm’s passing. Residents should place garbage curbside on their regular
scheduled collection day unless our public service announcements advise
otherwise.
Q: How many times will a contractor collect debris from my
home?
Contractors provided a minimum of 2 passes following the storms of 2004
and 2005. The actual number of times can change depending upon the
severity of the storm and the amount of damage it leaves behind.
Q: What will the Village contractors collect on the first pass?
Clean vegetative debris only is collected on the first pass. If your vegetative
debris is mixed with construction or other debris, you must separate it and it
will not be collected until the second or third pass.
Q: Why do I have to separate my yard waste from my
construction debris? Can’t you pick it up with the same
truck?
The collection of storm debris can be very costly and keeping debris types
separate reduces the overall cost which is a savings to the taxpayer.
Processing clean vegetation is cheaper than processing vegetation with
construction and other debris mixed in.
Q: The storm debris contractor left a lot of leaves and pine
needles when they picked up my large pile. Who is
responsible for cleaning that up?
The homeowner is responsible for cleaning up residual debris following the
first collection. All leaves, twigs, pine needles etc need to be raked up and
containerized in plastic bags for collection on the next pass. Small debris
that is not containerized cannot be collected by the heavy equipment used
by storm debris contractors.
Q: Will there be more damage to my property from the storm
debris collection process?
Because of the specialized, heavy duty equipment used to collect as much
debris as possible in the shortest amount of time, minor damage to swales
and lawns is not uncommon. Residents should be prepared to add fill, dirt
and sod to the staging area of their yard if this occurs.
Q: If our community does not want to wait for the Village
contractors to collect storm debris and we hire a private
contractor, will we get reimbursed?
No! There is no reimbursement provided to any individual or community
that hires a private contractor to remove and dispose of storm debris
generated from a federally declared natural disaster.
Q: How do I dispose of roofing shingles or tiles?
Small amounts of roofing shingles or tiles should be containerized by
double bagging. Small amounts placed loosely at the curb are almost
impossible to collect mechanically and if collection is attempted the result is
usually extensive damage to lawn, swale, driveway or street. If you have a
large amount we recommend the rental of a roll-off container or having
your roofer include the cost of removal of the shingles in their roof
replacement estimate. In many cases, these costs are covered by your
insurance company.
Q: I filled my recycle bins with drywall and roof tiles. Why
would my hauler keep passing them by instead of emptying
them?
Your recycling bins should never be used for anything other than
recycling! Your recycling collector will not pick up trash and your trash
hauler will not touch a recycling bin. Drywall and other small amounts of
construction debris should be double bagged under 50 pounds.
Q: My fence blew down. Will the Village pick it up from the
curb?
Fencing is collected by Village contractors and should be placed at the curb
in a pile separate from vegetative debris and household garbage.
Q: Will Village contractors come into my yard to collect my
large debris so I don’t have to transport it to the curb?
FEMA guidelines do not provide for contractors to come into a resident’s
yard to collect debris. All debris must be moved curbside where your
normal garbage pickup occurs.
Q: Why can’t the Village guarantee a truck will come to pick
up my neighbor’s and my large piles of debris when they
know a storm is approaching?
We could be seriously harmed by flying debris if it isn’t collected!
The Village encourages residents to plan well ahead by completing all major
cutting by April 30th. When residents cut large amounts of debris as a storm
is nearing landfall, there is not enough manpower, equipment or hours in
the day to collect it all. The Village and the haulers also have to prepare
their own facilities and equipment to safely weather the approaching storm.
Q: Will the Village arrange for contractors to collect storm
debris from my place of business?
No! Businesses do not receive storm debris collection from Village
contractors and must make private arrangements for its removal.
Q: Will my stumps also be collected?
Stumps are included in collection after a storm; however they are picked up
by a separate contractor and generally collected from the middle to the end
of our cleanup efforts.
Q: Is there a cut-off date for getting my storm debris curbside?
There is a cut-off date however we do not know the exact date until
collection begins and progress is measured. Generally speaking collection
can take anywhere from 45-120 days to complete. Residents should stay
tuned to media for Village public announcements or visit our website at
www.wellingtonfl.gov. Residents may also call
