Debris Management

Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. The associated debris and cleanup efforts can be more efficient with proper preparation and planning. The following will help you get ready for hurricane season.

Through storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. Proper preparation and planning can make the associated debris and cleanup efforts more efficient. The following will help you prepare:

After the STORM:

Debris Information 

Debris Call Center

After the Storm has Passed

We suggest you follow these simple guidelines for optimal efficiency, safety, and timely debris collection.

• Please be patient. Following a storm, the top priority is the health and safety of our community and the restoration of the county

• Debris collection guidance and recovery process updates will be available through local media, the Fort Bend County government website, and social media
• Keep debris area clear of vehicles and trailers to avoid delays in pick-up. Contractors cannot pick-up with piles are blocked

• 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

• Securely containerize all household garbage in plastic bags or carts to be placed curbside on your scheduled day away from storm-related debris

• Storm debris should be sorted into separate piles by disaster-related vegetative debris, construction and demolition, electronics, appliances, and white goods.

• Don't place any debris near or on a fence, mailbox, power line equipment, poles, transformers, downed electrical wiring, water meters, fire hydrants or storm drains

• Don't block roadways, traffic signs, drains, or storm water structures

• Avoid placing debris on paver driveways or other areas that might be susceptible to inadvertent damage

• Small quantities of yard waste can be prepared like your weekly collection guidelines. View guidelines at your servicing disposal agent portal.

• Pick-up will generally be done with a mechanized claw truck, so it’s important that you not set debris over buried electric/phone lines, water meters, hydrants, or mailboxes. Inspectors will tour each part of the county to determine where collection needs are greatest

• Debris will be collected from the curb on multiple passes by a mechanical claw

• After a major storm event, yard waste associated with land clearing and landscape improvement activities is not eligible for collection; disposal of this type of debris is the responsibility of the property owner at the property owner’s expense

In preparation for hurricane season, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that private or gated communities with restricted access ( there are locks, gates, or guards) have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification Form on file with Fort Bend County before any assessments, pre-approval or disaster debris recovery contractors are allowed to enter the community. Disaster-related debris may be removed from the right-of-way if it is pre-approved by the Federal Disaster Recovery Manager, is a public health and safety hazard, and if an eligible applicant, such as a municipal or county government, performs the work.

Filling out the form is quick and easy and only has to be done once a year. Fort Bend County requires an HOA President, Property Manager or Authorized Signer to complete the form prior to the start of hurricane season.

We will store your signed Right of Entry Form on file in case your community needs our assistance after a storm.

Please note the following important details regarding debris collection:

• Right to Entry Forms need to be filled out annually
• If you do not complete the Right of Entry Form, your community will not be eligible for debris collection from Fort Bend County vendors
• FEMA must approve and assess debris collection before the County’s vendors can collect from the private road right-of-way
• Debris eligible for removal and disposal must directly result from the declared event and occur within the designated disaster area. Debris removal may be eligible by FEMA when it is so widespread that:
  • Eliminates immediate threats to lives, public health and safety
  • Eliminates immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property
  • Ensures economic recovery of the affected areas to the benefit of the community-at-large
• Completion of the Right of Entry Form does not guarantee debris collection from County vendors
• There is never any obligation to use Fort Bend County vendors to collect storm debris
• Communities may use their insurance or their contractor for debris removal
• Debris Removal from private property is the individual property owner's responsibility, aided by insurance settlements and assistance from volunteer agencies. Most insurance policies have specific coverage for debris removal and demolition of heavily damaged structures.

Your information will only be used in the event of a storm. If necessary, we will use this information to get in contact with authorized agents and policyholders regarding your community’s debris collection.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us EOC@fortbendcountytx.gov

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Debris generated from commercial properties, such as industrial parks, golf courses, cemeteries, apartments, condominiums, and trailer parks are the responsibility of the owner, and are expected to retain insurance that covers debris removal.