Hurricane Cleanup and Storm Debris Removal in South Florida
After a Florida hurricane, South Florida homeowners face fallen trees, ruined patio furniture, and soaked drywall. Learn what insurance may cover, what municipal storm pickup handles, and how Fresh Start removes storm debris quickly.
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Every hurricane season, we get the same calls.
A tree came down in the backyard. The patio furniture ended up in the pool. The drywall in the guest room is soaked. Now what is covered, what is not, and who is actually going to haul everything away?
When your home or yard is already a mess, the last thing you need is more confusion. Here is what South Florida homeowners should know about post storm cleanup and debris removal.
What Homeowners Insurance May Cover
Many Florida homeowners insurance policies include debris removal when the debris is connected to a covered loss. For example, if hurricane winds knock a tree onto your home or damage part of the property, some of the cleanup may be covered.
Coverage can vary quite a bit, though. Flood damage is generally handled separately, normal wear and tear is not covered, and insurance usually will not pay to remove a tree simply because you are worried it could fall during the next storm.
Before moving or throwing anything away, take plenty of photos and videos. Get wide shots of the entire area, along with close ups of the damage. This is one of the most important things you can do to protect your insurance claim.
When in doubt, contact your insurance company or adjuster before cleanup begins.
What Municipal Storm Pickup Will Take
Cities throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties often provide storm related debris pickup, but it may not happen right away. After a major storm, piles can sit at the curb for days or even weeks.
There may also be specific rules about how everything must be separated.
Branches, palm fronds, and other yard debris may need to be kept separate from fencing, drywall, roofing materials, furniture, and household items. Some cities also have rules about where the pile can be placed and how close it must be to the curb.
Debris created by a hired contractor may not qualify for municipal pickup at all.
Waiting for the city may be perfectly fine if the pile is small and out of the way. But when debris is blocking your driveway, damaging the grass, creating a safety issue, or mixed together in one big mess, we can get it cleared much faster.
What We Remove After a Storm
Fresh Start provides storm debris removal and property cleanup throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.
We can remove:
- Fallen branches and cut tree debris
- Damaged patio furniture, umbrellas and grills
- Water damaged carpet, drywall, mattresses and furniture
- Broken fencing and screening
- Pool enclosure and lanai debris
- Items blown into your yard from neighboring properties
- Mixed household and construction debris
We do not cut down standing or unstable trees. That work should be handled by a qualified tree service or arborist. Once the tree or branches are safely on the ground, we can handle the hauling and cleanup.
We can also provide detailed invoices and photos for insurance reimbursement. When necessary, we are happy to communicate with your adjuster so everyone understands what is being removed.
Depending on road conditions and the severity of the storm, we can often be on site within 24 to 48 hours.
What to Do First
Start with safety. Do not go near downed power lines, standing water around electrical equipment, unstable trees, or damaged structures.
Once it is safe:
- Take photos and videos before touching anything.
- Contact your insurance company and start the claim.
- Separate anything that can still be saved.
- Dry out wet belongings when it is safe to do so.
- Ask your adjuster whether cleanup can begin.
- Call us when you are ready to have the damaged items removed.
You do not need to have everything perfectly sorted before we arrive. We can walk the property with you, explain what we can take, and help make a difficult situation feel more manageable.
Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties
We provide hurricane cleanup and storm debris removal throughout Palm Beach and Broward, from coastal communities to inland neighborhoods.
When you call, you will speak with a real person who will listen, ask a few questions, and give you an honest idea of what the cleanup will involve. No pressure and no making a stressful situation harder than it already is.
If your home or yard is a mess after a storm, call or text Fresh Start at (561) 313-6181. We will do our best to get there quickly and help you get your property back under control.
