ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida counties are notifying residents that there will be no special pickup services for debris caused by Hurricane Helene.
While the large hurricane brought severe storms to much of Central Florida, our area was not part of the state’s request for federal disaster assistance, which means our counties are not getting extra money to deal with storm debris.
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That means residents with tree branches, palm fronds and other yard debris from the storm will need to get rid of it the way they normally would. Any non-yard storm debris also will have to be specially handled.
Here’s what each county says about debris pick-up. We’ll add more information as we get it.
FLAGLER COUNTY
Flagler County officials are notifying its unincorporated residents that any debris caused as Hurricane Helene shot past the state is to be placed at the curb on Wednesday as normal for yard waste.
“Though Hurricane Helene was absolutely devastating to parts of our state, it was not a declared emergency here, so we don’t have another avenue for debris,” said General Services Director Mike Dickson. “Wednesday is the regular pick-up day for yard waste by our service provider, WastePro.”
Yard waste does not need to be bound, tied or containerized in any manner. However, there is a limit to the amount of yard waste that can be placed at the curb each week.
Any yard waste pile that is larger than 3-feet high by 3-feet wide by 12-feet long or contains any material that is longer than five feet in length or 6 inches in diameter, will need to be picked by a separate truck. There are additional costs associated with pick-ups of this nature and these costs will be paid directly to WastePro by the resident.
“If you do not want to pay additional fees, you can place a portion of your yard trash out a little at a time for regular pick-up,” Dickson said. “Any additional yard trash should temporarily be stored in your backyard.”
Flagler County Government
LAKE COUNTY
A Lake County spokesperson tells News 6 that the county is handling yard waste the way it usually does. Residents with storm debris should bring it to the Central Solid Waste Facility at 13130 County LandfilleRoad in Tavares. The debris can be dropped off for free for the next two weeks. Head to the county’s solid waste website for more information.
MARION COUNTY
“Marion County is not classified as a disaster area. As such, we will not be doing debris pickup. For drop-off sites, visit MarionFL.org/SolidWaste”
ORANGE COUNTY
Since there may be extra yard waste generated because of the storm, residents are reminded that the weekly collection for yard waste is limited to three cubic yards (about the size of three stoves). Additionally, each can, bag, and bundle must be 60 pounds or less, and limbs must be three feet long or less and tied securely with string.
Orange County government website
Also, Orange County’s website says customers in unincorporated parts of the county can call the Utilities Solid Waste Hotline at 407-836-6601.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
From the Seminole County government website:
Please treat debris from Hurricane Helene like regular yard waste. There will not be any additional storm debris collections. DO NOT PILE debris at the curbside. Place in bins, bags, or bundles.
The Landfill and Central Transfer Station are open.
YARD WASTE GUIDELINES
- Place debris at the curbside on your regular yard waste collection day.
- Place vegetation (leaves, branches, twigs, palm fronds) in bins or paper yard waste bags. Please avoid using plastic bags - they entangle the mulching machinery.
- Bundle limbs and branches, reducing their size to less than 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter.
For information about regular Solid Waste services, including trash/recycling collection and yard waste, click here.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
According to the Volusia County government website:
Following Hurricane Helene, Volusia County Public Works crews have assessed the County roadways and determined the limited amount of debris does not warrant the activation of the County’s debris management contracts. Therefore, residents in the unincorporated areas of Volusia County who have debris as a result of Hurricane Helene should place it curbside on their regular yard waste collection day in accordance with the following:
The equivalent of eight 32-gallon containers, not to exceed four cubic yards per household, can be picked up each week.
Palm fronds and limbs need to be neatly stacked (no need for bundles). Limbs may not exceed 4 ft. in length or 1 ft. in diameter and must weigh less than 60 pounds each. Please do not place yard waste in a 96-gallon cart.
Do not mix yard waste with any other types of waste.
The Tomoka Landfill, located at 1990 Tomoka Farms Road, Port Orange, is open and operating on its regular schedule from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about properly disposing of debris and yard waste in unincorporated areas, contact the Solid Waste and Recycling Division at 386-943-7889. Contractors seeking to dispose of debris must also follow their standard guidelines.
Those residing in incorporated areas should contact their local municipality for debris removal guidance. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by following Volusia County on social media, subscribing to the County newsletter, and visiting www.volusia.org for the latest updates.
Volusia County government
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