Hurricane Season - Are you Ready?
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical hurricane is accompanied by thunderstorms, heavy rains and high speed winds. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and microbursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.
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Hurricane season spans from June 1st through November 30th. The removal of debris from routine yard maintenance is vital during that time. The City of Fort Lauderdale arranges curbside debris removal for neighbors throughout the year.
- All major removals of vegetation and or trees should be completed no later than June 1st; the beginning of hurricane season.
- Arrange to have your trees inspected annually by an ISA or ASCA Certified Arborist who must also possess a Broward County Tree Trimmer License.
- Have any necessary tree structural pruning performed addressing dead limbs, defects or any other tree safety hazards or concerns. Goal is to reduce the amount of potential windborne debris from trees while minimizing any impacts to tree health.
- All major tree structural pruning should be scheduled from December 1st through April 30th.
- If you are having trees removed (NOTE: A City Permit might be required.) or doing any other major vegetative pruning, be sure to have your arborist/landscape contractor include the price of debris removal as part of their service.
- Debris from major pruning or tree removal will need to be transported to a yard waste processing facility; disposal fees may apply.
- Place your yard waste inside the green cart.
- Take out the full green cart during your scheduled curbside collection day.
Bulk Trash is collected once per month. To find out your scheduled collection day or to learn more about our program contact the City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Services Center at 954-828-8000 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/gyr.
Place vegetation material from routine maintenance (up to 10 cubic yards - equivalent to 5 standard size refrigerators) at the curb on your bulk scheduled collection day. Remember each piece cannot exceed 6 ft. in length.
- Limited construction debris such as plywood, doors, cabinets, sinks and toilets can be picked up as part of our Bulk Trash collection program.
Once a Storm Has Been Named
- Do not prune/remove trees or perform major yard work.
- Do not begin construction projects that produce debris.
- Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind.
- Mass pruning places a tremendous burden on the collection and disposal processes and there isn’t enough equipment or manpower to handle the additional material before the storm makes landfall. You could put not only yourself at risk, but your neighbors as well.
- Do not take materials to the curb during a watch or warning period. Services may be suspended and facilities closed early to prepare for the storm.
To learn about what to do following a hurricane or storm click here.