Cutting fallen trees and hauling away all the debris left behind by Hurricane Beryl is backbreaking work. If you have to hire someone to help it can cost thousands of dollars.
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Some of you are asking Investigator Amy Davis how much of this work homeowners are responsible for and if there is help for those who can’t do it themselves.
KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun spelled out debris help for people in the City of Houston. But what about people in other areas of Harris County? What about people in Katy, Hockley, Deer Park, Pasadena, Crosby, Humble, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, Aldine, Galena Park, Nassau Bay and other cities beyond?
We know you need help, and we are working to get you answers!
When a tree falls on private property, it is the homeowners’ responsibility to pick up the mess. But some people who live in the Spring Creek Forest subdivision in Spring wanted to know if anyone from Harris County would be coming around to pick up the tree waste and debris if they can get it to the curb.
KPRC 2 reached out to the four Harris County Commissioners and Judge Lina Hidalgo’s office.
Harris County was actually just finishing up picking up debris from Derecho so for many precincts they will just continue those rounds of clean-up. But it is different in each precinct.
Commissioner Lesley Briones of Precinct 4 told us:
If debris is placed on the curb, it will be picked up. No need to place a request. Debris should be placed curbside, without blocking the roadway or storm drains. Placing debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures makes removal difficult. This includes fire hydrants and meters. If you don’t have a sidewalk, ditch, or utility line in front of your house, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.
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Precinct 4 road and bridge crew members are working from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. picking up debris. They will also cut trees to the property line not on your property but if you need assistance cutting trees on private property in Precinct 4 you can call 832-927-4444. You can also email to request assistance.
If you are in Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said they will get to your debris. Right now, they are still clearing trees and debris from roadways then they will clear everything they pushed to the side of the roadways and then the third phase will be picking up your debris from your curb.
How to find what Harris County precinct you live in
In case you don’t know, first you need to figure out which precinct you live in. You can reach your precinct if you need help and also find dumpsters that are available where you can take your debris if you are able to get it there. If you don’t know your precinct, you can check this map tool.
Below you will find the full statements that we’ve gotten so far from each precinct spokesperson about debris pickup. (At the very bottom we put information for people living in the City of Houston.)
KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis asked:
- Will county crews go into subdivisions and neighborhoods in precincts to pick up debris at the curb?
- Obviously not everyone can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get crews to cut up fallen trees on their property. Is there any assistance for these people?
- If not, if they can get it to the curb, will the county come pick it up and when?
Debris removal for people living in Harris County Precinct 1
Will county crews go into subdivisions and neighborhoods in precincts to pick up debris at the curb?
Yes, the Harris County Engineering Department has a contract with DRC in place to coordinate storm debris pickup. The Precincts are in constant coordination to identify and pick up debris with this contractor.
Obviously not everyone can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get crews to cut up fallen trees on their property. Is there any assistance for these people?
Ready Harris promotes the Crisis Cleanup Group on their website: https://www.readyharris.org/Resources/Beryl-Recovery-Resources.
This is a network that connects people in need to volunteers from local organizations who will help with fallen trees, roof tarping etc. The services are free but not guaranteed. People can call the helpline at 979-217-3791.
If not, if they can get it to the curb, will the county come pick it up and when?
Yes, residents should call 311 to report storm debris or call the Harris County Debris Hotline at 713-274-3880. The contractor will coordinate with the county to pick up storm debris piles that have been identified. Residents need to separate their debris based on guidance from Ready Harris.
Residents can also receive updates about debris pickup on Ready Harris website under Beryl Recovery Resources: https://www.readyharris.org/Resources/Beryl-Recovery-Resources
Statement from: Alexaundra Preston, Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Debris removal for people living in Harris County Precinct 2
Debris removal from streets and roadways is already ongoing obviously. As for in neighborhoods, I think those details will start to come very soon. I can’t guarantee this, but I would expect that curbside pickup would be utilized like it was for the Derecho.
As for assistance to individuals with trees in driveways, etc. I don’t have anything additional beyond the phone number you mentioned. I should have more information tomorrow.
Statement from: Scott Speigal, Precinct 2 Spokesperson
Debris removal for people living in Harris County Precinct 3
We ask residents in Precinct 3 to please report vegetative debris from the storm by calling 713-274-3100 or submit their locations at pct3.com/service-request.
At this time we’re completing the road clearing phase to move trees and debris out of the roadways to allow for emergency response and safe passage. After this phase, our crews will go back through these routes to completely remove the debris that was pushed to the side of the roadways.
We’ll then go into areas by zone to pick up residential vegetative debris, and we will pick up tree debris that residents have moved to their curbs.
Statement from: Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s Office.
Debris removal for people living in Harris County Precinct 4
Will county crews go into subdivisions and neighborhoods in the 4 precincts to pick up debris at the curb?
If debris is placed on the curb, it will be picked up. No need to place a request. Debris should be placed curbside, without blocking the roadway or storm drains. Placing debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures makes removal difficult. This includes fire hydrants and meters. If you don’t have a sidewalk, ditch, or utility line in front of your house, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.
117 Harris County Precinct 4 Road & Bridge crew members are going into subdivisions and neighborhoods within Precinct 4 to pick up debris at the curb. They are working from dawn to dusk. Hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
*Regular Household Trash - Normal household trash and bagged debris of any kind will not be picked up with disaster debris. You should continue to follow your normal garbage removal schedule.
Public dumpsters: Precinct 4 also has public dumpsters at these two locations:
HOCKLEY: 28511 Old Washington Rd., Hockley, TX 77447
TOMBALL: Service Center Rd., Tomball, TX 77377
Open 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We were scheduled for a third and final debris pickup this week from the Derecho. The Derecho cleanup process is now rolling into the hurricane debris cleanup. Derecho passes are completed any debris placed on curb will be picked up with Beryl debris.
Obviously not everyone can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get crews to cut up fallen trees on their property. Is there any assistance for these people?
We will cut trees to the property line. We can help connect those that need assistance in cutting on private property. Please call 832-927-4444 or email service@hcp4.net.
If your home was impacted by the recent hurricane, please call 832-927-4444 or email service@hcp4.net to report damages.
You can also file a request online Harris County Precinct 4 Community Assistance Request
If not, if they can get it to the curb, will the county come pick it up and when?
The initial pass has already started with P4 resources and debris contractor have started as well.
Cooling Centers and Distribution Sites
We would also like to let you know for people still without power:
Commissioner Lesley Briones is opening two Distribution Sites and five Cooling Centers on Wednesday. Supplies are first-come, first-serve.
Bayland Community Center (cooling 9a-6p/distribution 11a-1p): 6400 Bissonnet Street, Houston
Radack Community Center (cooling 9a-6p/distribution11a-1p): 18650 Clay Road, Houston
Weekley Community Center (cooling 9a-6p): 8440 Greenhouse Road
Cypress: Mary Jo Peckham Community Center (cooling 9a-6p): 5597 Gardenia Lane
Katy: Hockley Community Center (cooling 9a-6p): 28515 Old Washington Road
We will be here to help residents before, during and after this and all storms.
Statement from: Office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones
Debris pickup in the City of Houston
You can find all of the information for the City of Houston from reporter Rilwan Balogun here. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) encourages residents in impacted areas to report all debris removal needs to Houston 311 website or call 3-1-1. Six disposal sites and facilities are located in the City of Houston.
The depositories are free for residents to use. People must bring their ID (Texas Driver’s license; Texas Department of Public Safety issued I.D. card; or Texas License to Carry Permit) and proof of residency (utility bill or lease agreement). People are required to live within city limits to use it. People are limited to four drop-offs per month, according to the city.
The city will pick up garbage throughout the week along with heavy tree waste and storm debris. Check here for a list of locations.