Author: NMGMUD

Essential Storm Debris Removal Guide: What You Need to Know This Hurricane Season

Hurricane and Tropical Storm season is at its peak!

Our priority during the first week after a disaster is your health and safety. We will ensure the prompt collection of putrescible residential waste. Remember that during power outages, a tremendous amount of rotting waste is generated. Collection of this is our priority. Following this initial period, we will continue to collect normal resident waste, including grass clippings.

It is encouraged to place household waste in white bags and grass clippings in clear or brown paper bags and to separate them from any debris generated because of the disaster.

Storm debris is trash from an event such as a hurricane, flood, windstorm, etc., that generates more than the average amount of waste a resident normally produces. This can include bagged yard debris, but it is not limited to downed trees, excessive branches and leaves blown off trees, fallen fences, roofing, and construction debris from the house because of water damage.

Storm debris should be placed at the curb away from your regular household waste. Please check with your local government for guidelines on how to properly place your debris out for collection.

The collection of storm debris and waste generated by these conditions is not included under the terms and conditions of Best Trash’s agreement with the District. Also, note that construction and remodeling debris is not considered normal trash. Please see our website, www.best-trash.com for details.

Storm Debris Removal Resource Guide

Debris should be placed curbside without blocking the road or storm drains. Additionally, residents should avoid placing debris near or on structures such as trees, poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and meters.

Guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency require debris to be separated into six categories:
  • Electronics: televisions, computers, stereos, phones, DVD players, and other devices with cords
  • Large appliances: refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, and dishwashers
  • Hazardous waste: oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, and compressed gas
  • Vegetative debris: tree branches, leaves, logs, and plants
  • Construction debris: building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, and plumbing
  • Household garbage: bagged garbage, discarded food, paper, and packaging
The specifics

Local government entities may have varying requirements in their debris pickup procedures. Additional information is linked below:

  • Fort Bend County (608) 492-0522 (833) 307-9937: Please be patient. Following a storm, the top priority is our community’s health and safety and the county’s restoration. Keep household garbage, recycling, and vegetative and/or construction storm debris in separate piles. Debris must be neatly stacked or piled curbside by debris type. Don’t block roadways, traffic signs, drains, or stormwater structures.
  • Harris County Precinct 3: To request collection, please visit the Harris County Precinct 3 website or call (713) 274-3100. Regular household trash and bagged debris will not be picked up with disaster debris. You should continue to follow the regular garbage removal schedule. Household hazardous waste will not be picked up with regular debris piles.
  • Harris County Precinct 4 (832-927-4444) service@hcp4.net: Please be patient. A natural disaster can affect entire counties. The debris collectors will make at least three passes in your area. Please call or email if your debris has not been removed after the third collection round. Regular household trash and bagged debris will not be picked up with disaster debris. You should continue to follow your regular garbage removal schedule.
  • Montgomery County: Please be patient with the county during storm debris removal. Do not place tree debris in trash bags. Debris must be placed on the county/city right-of-way. It cannot be collected on private property or in gated communities. Do not place debris in ditches or natural drainage ways that will impede water flow. Also, do not place debris on a roadway that will become a traffic hazard.
  • City of Houston: If your house doesn’t have a sidewalk, ditch, or utility line in front of it, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb. Placing debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures makes removal difficult. This includes fire hydrants and meters. Separate debris into these categories: vegetative debris, electronics, appliances, and white goods.
  • City of Jersey Village: Residents are encouraged to get their tree debris to the curb as soon as possible. Contractors will make a pass to clean it up. Debris removal crews will be using large trucks with grapples on them. Due to its proximity to trees, mailboxes, etc., the grapple may not be able to clear the debris in front of your home. If it appears your house was skipped, please be assured that crews will be by again with a different means of picking up your debris. There is no need to report this. City staff will verify that all debris is picked up before the company leaves Jersey Village.
  • City of Katy: Storm Debris should be separated by vegetative debris and fence debris. Bagged debris, appliances, construction or demolition waste, and hazardous waste will not be picked up.
  • City of Pearland: Debris should be separated into the following categories: regular household trash, vegetative, construction and demolition, appliances and white goods, electronics, and household hazardous waste. The current waste service provider is picking up bagged debris concurrently with Ceres picking up storm debris. Haul vehicles will be in the right-of-way once they are in place. Please be patient, as slow-moving vehicles may slightly impact traffic, and please remember not to block debris piles. Please ensure access to the debris and do not block it. Vehicles, street poles, fire hydrants, and other obstacles adjacent to debris piles will inhibit debris pickup; as a result, piles that are blocked will be skipped. Please ensure debris is accessible to the vehicles.
  • City of Sugar Land: Storm debris does not need to be trimmed down or bundled, and standard green waste procedures do not need to be followed. Trees, stumps, tree branches, tree trunks, lumber, fence panels, and roofing materials can be placed at the curb as they are and will be collected. Neighbors can combine small debris piles into one large pile of vegetation debris, including limbs and trees. This will reduce the contractor’s time to move their equipment from pile to pile. While debris collection is happening, please note that there will be different debris collection trucks for each pile of vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, and refrigerators/freezers. Please keep the roadway clear of vehicles. Keep a safe distance from the workers and refrain from interrupting them during their tasks.
  • City of Tomball: See Harris County Precinct 3.
  • City of Magnolia: See Magnolia County.
  • City of Missouri City: Storm Debris (trees, stumps, loose branches) and other materials (lumber, fencing, roofing) should be separated and stacked separately.
  • City of West University Place: Regular trash, recycling, and bagged yard waste should only be placed curbside on your regular collection days. The storm debris collection vendor will not collect these items. Residents should move storm-related debris to the curb and keep it separate from regular trash. Please separate tree debris from construction debris. This will help crews to sort and collect debris more efficiently. All debris should be placed in the city right-of-way (between the curb and sidewalk).

To Flush or Not to Flush

The Board of Directors for North Mission Glen Municipal Utility District (the District) would like to take a moment to remind residents of the importance of maintaining a clean sanitary sewer system. When “non-flushable” items such as wipes, oil, and grease make their way down toilet commodes, damage and clogs can occur. These clogs can cause home plumbing problems and sewage backups, creating excessive maintenance costs for residents. Additionally, damage can occur within the wastewater treatment facilities, producing elevated repair costs to the District.

It is not always comfortable to discuss bathroom issues, specifically, toilet do’s and don’ts. However, it is important to remember that there are some things that are meant to be flushed down the toilet… and some things that are not.

What about “flushable wipes”?

Despite their claim to be “flushable”, these wipes are indeed “not flushable“. Toilet paper is made to disintegrate when it is flushed. Wipes, on the other hand, are not made to disintegrate when flushed. Wipes clog pipes and cause damage to the sanitary collection system and wastewater treatment plants. It is better to be safe than sorry. For best practices, throw used wipes into the trash can.

The following items should never be flushed:

  • “Flushable” Wipes
  • Paper Towels & Tissues
  • Too Much Toilet Paper
  • Cotton Balls, Rounds, or Swabs
  • Feminine Products
  • Dental Floss
  • Hair
  • Bandages
  • Medications & Other Hazardous Materials
  • Cigarette Butts
  • Fats, Oils, or Grease (FOG should be discarded within sealed containers and into the trash)
  • Kitty Litter

While they may seem miniscule, these items can clog the drains and cause damage that could be expensive to repair. Residents can help save their resources and that of the District by only flushing toilet paper. After all, one wouldn’t want to inadvertently throw money down the drain!

Hurricane Preparedness

The traditional hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. It is time to make a plan and be ready. Here are a few resources for this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Week:

  • Know your risk – Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt many miles inland. Significant impacts can also occur regardless of the storm’s strength.
    • Consider your threats: Storm surges, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents
    • Determine if you live in a flood-prone area
    • Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
  • Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by getting your disaster supplies now. Supplies may not be available just before a storm arrives. Get an insurance review early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
    • Develop an evacuation plan
    • Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash
    • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions
    • Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts
    • Strengthen your home
  • Understand forecast information before a storm. This can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s path, rainfall amounts, wind speeds and more. Most importantly, it lets you and your family know what actions to take to prepare, monitor, shelter or evacuate. Visit www.hurricanes.gov for more information.
    • Rely on forecasts from your local National Weather Service office
    • Know your alerts and the difference between Watch and Warning
    • Focus on potential impacts, regardless of storm size and category
    • Know that deadly hazards occur well outside of the Forecast Cone
  • Know what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.
    • Protect your hone: Cover windows, secure doors and loose items
    • Determine sheltering options and consider your pets
    • Ready you go-bag, meds and supplies, charge phones, fill up/charge vehicle
    • Help your neighbors, especially the elderly and other vulnerable people
    • Follow evacuation orders if given
  • A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is not the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.
    • Use caution after storms: If evacuated, only return home when directed it is safe to do so
    • Remain vigilant, as hazards remain: Heat, downed powerlines, floodwaters, etc.
    • Clean up safely: Don’t push yourself and check on neighbors
    • Only use generators outdoors, 20+ feet from your house
    • Prepare for the likelihood that help and communications may not be available
  • Do not wait to take action! Start preparing today!
    • Determine your risks from water and wind
    • Begin preparing now, before a storm
    • Learn how to understand hurricane forecasts and alerts
    • Learn what to do before, during and after a storm

Drought Contingency Plan

In order to conserve water during current drought conditions, the City of Houston has implemented Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan.  During this stage, the North Mission Glen Municipal Utility District Board of Directors is requesting that all residents of the District take the following voluntary measures:

  • Check for and repair all leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
  • Check sprinkler heads to make sure that water is not spraying into the street or directly into a storm drain.
  • Utilize water conservation measures such as displacement bags, low-flow shower heads, and leak detection tablets.
  • Limit irrigation to no more than two (2) days per week, between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.