Key Takeaways
- Trim trees and clear loose junk early in the season, before any storm is in the forecast.
- Once a watch or warning is issued, do not prune trees or put bulk trash at the curb.
- After a storm, sort debris into vegetative, construction, appliance, electronics and hazardous piles.
- Remove wet carpet, drywall and furniture within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold growth.
Few places in the United States know hurricanes like Homestead. Hurricane Andrew struck South Miami-Dade as a Category 5 storm on August 24, 1992. It destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes and reshaped the city. Since then, storms like Hurricane Irma in 2017 have reminded residents that cleanup often takes longer and costs more than the storm itself.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. This guide is for Homestead homeowners, landlords and business owners. It covers what to do with trees, junk and debris before a storm, during a watch or warning, and in the weeks that follow. You will also learn how to sort debris the way Miami-Dade crews require and when a private cleanup crew makes sense.
Before the Storm: Clear Out Early in the Season
The best time to deal with storm debris is before there is a storm. In hurricane-force winds, anything loose in your yard can become a projectile. That includes dead palm fronds, weak limbs, old patio furniture, broken planters and scrap lumber.
Trim Trees and Palms in the Spring
Miami-Dade County encourages residents to trim trees and shrubs early in the season and clear loose branches. Remove dead fronds and coconuts from palms, thin dense canopies so wind can pass through, and take down dead or leaning trees. Hire a licensed arborist for large trees or anything near power lines.
Get Rid of Junk You Do Not Need
Old grills, broken trampolines, rusted sheds, unused furniture on the patio and piles of scrap wood are all hazards. Schedule your city bulk pickup or county bulky waste appointment early, or haul them out while crews and schedules are wide open. Waiting until a storm is in the forecast means competing with everyone else.
Make a Home Inventory
Walk through your home and yard with your phone and record everything, including roof condition, fences, sheds, appliances and furniture. These photos make insurance claims far easier if you have to prove what existed before the storm.
During a Watch or Warning: What Not to Do
Once a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued for South Miami-Dade, the rules change:
- Do not prune trees or start any major yard cleanup.
- Do not put bulk trash or yard waste at the curb. Collection is usually suspended, and loose piles can become flying debris.
- Bring patio furniture, grills, planters and garbage carts inside or tie them down.
- Secure loose construction materials and remodel debris on job sites.
If you already have a pile at the curb when a watch is issued, move it into a garage or secure area until the storm passes.
After the Storm: Safety Comes First
Most storm injuries happen during cleanup, not during the storm. Before you touch any debris:
- Stay far away from downed power lines and anything touching them. Inside the City of Homestead, electric service comes from Homestead Public Services; much of the surrounding area is served by Florida Power & Light. Report downed lines to your utility.
- Never run a generator inside a home or garage, and keep it well away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Wear gloves, boots, long pants and eye protection. Storm debris hides nails, broken glass and sheet metal.
- Do not use a chainsaw on trees under tension or near structures unless you are trained. Hire a licensed tree service.
- Watch for snakes, fire ants and wasps in fallen trees and brush.
Document Before You Remove Anything
Photograph and video every damaged area, including the roof, fences, sheds, vehicles and water-damaged contents, before anything is moved. Keep receipts for cleanup work, tarps and debris removal. Your adjuster will want to see damage in place, and many policies cover debris removal costs.
How to Sort Hurricane Debris for Miami-Dade Pickup
After major storms, local governments run special debris collection, but crews only pick up piles that are sorted correctly. Mixed piles may be skipped. Separate your debris into these categories and place them at the curb without blocking the road, sidewalks, fire hydrants, meters or storm drains:
| Category | Examples | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetative debris | Tree limbs, palm fronds, leaves, logs | Keep separate; use clear bags for small material |
| Construction and demolition (C&D) | Roof tiles, shingles, drywall, lumber, fencing, carpet | Picked up after vegetative debris |
| White goods | Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, water heaters, AC units | Remove food from fridges and tape doors shut |
| Electronics | TVs, computers, printers | Keep dry and separate |
| Household hazardous waste | Paint, chemicals, pool supplies, batteries, fuel | Never mix with other debris |
| Normal household garbage | Bagged trash and spoiled food | Goes in your regular cart |
Miami-Dade storm crews generally collect vegetative debris first. Construction and demolition debris, such as roof tiles, lumber, metal and cement, is collected after the vegetative debris. After a major storm, that can take weeks. Keeping your green waste completely separate is the single best way to get it picked up sooner.
Water Damage: Why Speed Matters
South Florida's heat and humidity make water damage urgent. Mold can begin growing on wet drywall, carpet, padding and upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours. If water got inside your home:
- Photograph everything for your insurance claim.
- Remove standing water and open the home to dry if it is safe.
- Pull out soaked carpet and padding, and cut out wet drywall at least a foot above the water line.
- Get waterlogged mattresses, couches and particleboard furniture out of the house quickly.
- Run fans and dehumidifiers once power is restored.
Wet debris is heavy and messy, which is why many homeowners bring in a crew rather than hauling soaked carpet and drywall to the curb themselves.
Public Debris Pickup vs Private Hurricane Debris Removal
Government storm debris collection is free, but it follows its own timeline. After a large storm, first passes can take days to weeks, and construction debris can take longer. Crews also pick up only what is at the curb and sorted correctly.
A private cleanup crew makes sense when:
- Debris is inside the home, in the backyard or in a pool enclosure
- You have water-damaged contents that need to come out before mold sets in
- Debris is mixed and would be skipped by county crews
- You are a landlord or business that needs the property usable quickly
- An insurance claim covers debris removal, and you want it documented
Protecting Pools, Screen Enclosures and Fences
Pools and screened enclosures are common across Homestead, and they take a beating in storms. Do not drain your pool before a hurricane, because rising groundwater can damage an empty pool. Instead, lower the water level slightly, turn off power to the equipment and clear loose items from the deck. After the storm, remove branches and fronds from the pool before running the pump. Keep children away until broken screen panels, bent aluminum and sharp edges are cleared.
Fallen fences are another frequent problem. Wind-twisted wood panels and chain-link fencing are construction debris, not yard waste, so keep them in a separate pile from branches. If a fence also separates your yard from a canal, a pool or a busy road, put up a temporary barrier until it can be rebuilt.
A Storm Cleanup Plan for Landlords and Businesses
Rental owners and business operators have extra obligations after a storm. Tenants need safe access, customers need clear parking lots and walkways, and insurers want prompt action to prevent further damage. A simple plan helps:
- Keep a list of every property with photos taken before the season starts.
- Line up a cleanup crew, a tree service and a water mitigation company in advance.
- After the storm, inspect each property, document damage and secure hazards first.
- Remove debris from entrances, parking areas and walkways before interior cleanup.
- Keep every invoice and photo together for insurance and tax records.
Planning ahead is the difference between reopening in days and waiting weeks while every crew in South Florida is booked.
Avoiding Storm Cleanup Scams
After every major hurricane, out-of-area crews arrive in South Florida looking for quick cash. Protect yourself with a few simple steps. Get a written price and ask for proof of general liability insurance. Avoid anyone who wants full payment upfront in cash. Make sure tree work near power lines is done by qualified professionals. Local companies with a physical presence and a phone number that works after the storm are always the safer choice.
Book Storm Cleanup With Junk Removal Homestead
Our crews live and work in South Miami-Dade, so we are here before, during and after storm season. We clear downed limbs, broken fencing, damaged sheds and water-damaged contents, sort debris as it is loaded and provide an itemized invoice for your insurance records on request.
Green Waste and Fallen Limbs: Yard Waste Removal
For fronds, branches and brush piles after a storm, or before one, yard waste removal clears the whole pile without size limits or bag counts.
Storm Cleanup on Acreage: Junk Removal in the Redland
Groves, nurseries and large rural lots in the Redland often need multiple loads after a storm, and we plan trucks accordingly.