Street gutters and drains are critical in keeping neighborhoods from flooding when it rains; when leaves and yard debris collect in street gutters and block drains, water can back up and cause ponding that can flood yards and potentially homes. In addition, if the debris does go down into the storm drain it may clog the drain that carries the rainwater away from our streets and homes. You can help prevent flooding in our neighborhood with a few small maintenance actions on your property.

Keep leaves and debris out of gutters and drains:

• Avoid piling yard waste such as fallen leaves on your property where it could wash into the city drains. Keep yard waste in a waste bin or other container.
• Use a rake or broom to remove leaves and debris that may collect on the tops of storm drains, and then place the material in your yard waster container.
• Check to be sure that the current Beryl debris that you may have on your property is not obstructing the street gutter and drains. Per the City of Houston Solid Waste Management website our neighborhood is in the area that crews are collecting the first pass. (See Below). Please be aware that they also indicate that debris removal may take 60 to 90 days. If you haven’t already done so, please contact Houston 3-1-1 at (713)-837-0311 to report any storm debris or email 311@houstontx.gov if you have any questions.

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SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY OF HOUSTON 

Mark Wilfalk, Director
Solid Waste Management Dept.

John Whitmire, Mayor
City of Houston

City Of Houston Department Of Solid Waste Management Launches Houston Hurricane Beryl Storm Debris Tracker

HOUSTON – July 19, 2024: The City of Houston Department of Solid Waste Management (SWM) announces the release of a Storm Debris Collection progress tracker. This tool enables residents to monitor the daily progress of debris collection efforts following the severe weather caused by Hurricane Beryl on July 8 and the May 16 Derecho.

Houstonians can access the webpage at bit.ly/HTXStorm to see areas in which trucks are currently working. Users should use the search function that looks like a magnifying glass to find an address. Additional details below:

• Yellow areas indicate neighborhoods where crews are currently collecting the first pass.
• Green areas indicate neighborhoods in which the first pass of storm debris collection is complete. • Gray areas indicate neighborhoods in queue for collection that will be assigned as soon as crews are available.

Upon completion of the first pass of storm debris collection, SWM will begin a second pass.

The combined impact of this year’s natural disasters in the Houston area is projected to produce more than 4.5 million cubic yards of storm debris. Prior to the July 4th Independence Holiday, the city successfully removed more than 1.7 million cubic yards of debris generated by the Derecho Storm.

Over the next 60-90 days, the City will utilize all its available resources combined with supplemental disaster collection contractors to expedite the debris removal operations in neighborhoods throughout the city###

ABOUT HOUSTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides the city with integrated municipal waste management services designed to support environmental health, sustainability, and economic development in all communities throughout Houston.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at @houstonsolidwaste, follow us on X @HoustonTrash. Download our app HTX Collects on Google Play or IOS Store to Never Miss an Update again! Call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.