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Storm Preparation and Debris Management

Published

Jan 4, 2025

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Prepare Now to Stay Safe During Storm Season

Proper preparation before storm season ensures your safety, minimizes damage, and reduces post-storm debris. Taking action early helps protect your home, family, and community.

Why Prepare Early?

  • Unsecured Items Can Be Dangerous: Yard items like furniture, toys, or tools can turn into hazardous projectiles during high winds.
  • Post-Storm Debris: Storms often leave behind downed trees, broken pool cages, damaged roofing, and flood-ruined items. Preparing now can minimize this.
  • Waste Collection Suspensions: When conditions become unsafe, garbage collection stops. Late-placed items may remain uncollected at the curb. 

Steps to Prepare:

  • Trim trees and remove broken or unwanted items before storm season (begins June 1st).
  • Secure garbage bins and recycling carts in a safe location before a storm.
  • Learn how to prepare yard waste for regular collection to ensure timely pickup. 

Debris Placement During Cleanup

If a storm impacts Manatee County and the Debris Management Plan is activated, specialized collection schedules will be in place. Follow these guidelines to ensure efficient cleanup:

Important Rules:

  • Do NOT bag debris
  • Do NOT mix debris types
  • Avoid blocking or placing debris on mailboxes, storm drains, backflow assemblies, water meters, near downed or low power lines, or other critical areas - leave three feet of space to ensure safe collection.

Separate Debris into These Categories:

  1. Vegetative: Trees, limbs, leaves, and plants, etc. (No fencing, including wooden fences)
  2. Construction & Demolition (C&D): Roofing, cement, drywall, fencing, household furniture, mattresses, and pool screening, etc.
  3. Appliances/White Goods: Empty refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners, etc.

Note: Electronics and hazardous materials are not collected curbside. Follow the county's hazardous waste disposal guidelines for these items.

Recovery After the Storm

Once conditions are safe, begin restoring your home and follow these tips for a smoother recovery:

  • Limit items to only those damaged by the storm to expedite cleanup.
  • Separate and place debris properly for collection.
  • Be patient—storm debris collection is a lengthy process.

Please Note: Not all storms will trigger the Debris Management Plan. Stay updated to determine if normal waste collection procedures apply.

Stay Informed

Timely information during and after a storm is crucial for your safety and recovery. Stay updated on evacuations, shelters, garbage collection, and more.

Residents of the City of Anna Maria, the City of Bradenton, the City of Bradenton Beach, the City of Holmes Beach, the City of Palmetto, the Town of Longboat Key, and Trailer Estates must contact their respective utilities departments for storm debris removal information.

 

Important City Utility Numbers

  • City of Anna Maria: (941) 708-6130
  • City of Bradenton: (941) 708-6300
  • City of Bradenton Beach: (941) 778-1005
  • City of Holmes Beach: (941) 708-5768
  • City of Palmetto: (941) 723-4580
  • Town of Longboat Key: (941) 361-6411
  • City of Sarasota: (941) 263-6170
  • Sarasota County: (941) 861-6790

Prepare early, stay informed, and work together to keep our community safe!