Wellington, FL

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Emergency Management

1. 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 to 120 days to complete. Residents should stay tuned to media for Wellington public announcements.

2. 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.

3. Will Wellington arrange for contractors to collect storm debris from my place of business?: No! Businesses do not receive storm debris collection from Wellington contractors and must make private arrangements for their removal.

4. Why can't Wellington 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! Wellington 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. Wellington and the haulers also have to prepare their own facilities and equipment to safely weather the approaching storm.

5. Will Wellington 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.

6. My fence blew down. Will Wellington pick it up from the curb?: Fencing is collected by Wellington contractors and should be placed at the curb in a pile separate from vegetative debris and household garbage.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. If our community does not want to wait for Wellington's 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. What will Wellington's 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.

14. 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.

15. When is hurricane season?: Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.

16. I know Wellington 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.

17. 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.

18. Does Wellington collect my storm debris or is it FEMA that provides the service?: Neither. Wellington hires private contractors to collect all residential storm debris and FEMA representatives interpret and enforce the rules of collection.

19. I live in a gated community or on a private road. Will Wellington 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.

20. How soon will my regular garbage be collected following a storm?: Garbage collection is a 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.

21. 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 to 6 weeks before residents receive their first collection of storm debris.