First 24 hours
- Stay away from downed lines. Treat every wire as live, report it to the utility, and don't cut trees touching lines.
- Photograph everything before anything moves, for insurance.
- Call your insurer if a tree hit the house, garage, or a covered fence.
- Avoid cutting tension wood unless you're experienced. Bent trunks and limbs can spring violently.
Curbside staging vs. full haul-off
| Curbside staging | Full haul-off | |
|---|---|---|
| What the crew does | Cuts trees and limbs and stacks them on the public right-of-way for government debris pickup | Cuts, loads, and removes everything from your property |
| Cost | Usually lower (no dump fees or hauling) | Higher (trucks, labor, disposal) |
| Timing | Debris sits at the curb until the county or city pass reaches you | Gone when the crew leaves |
| Works when | Collection is active and your road is eligible | Collection has ended, you're on a private road that isn't covered, or you want it gone now |
Ask whoever you hire which option they're quoting. "Cleanup" can mean either.
Staging rules (follow your local government's version)
- Place debris on the public right-of-way, the strip between the street and the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. Not in the road. Crews generally can't go onto private property.
- Don't bag vegetative debris. Escambia County won't collect bagged storm debris. Santa Rosa County accepts loose debris or paper bags, but not plastic.
- Keep piles away from mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants, and other above-ground utilities. Escambia County asks for at least 4 feet. Don't stack under low-hanging lines.
- Residential debris only. Keep household trash out of storm piles.
Debris categories
Government debris programs (following the FEMA-style approach) sort storm waste into separate piles that are collected by different trucks. Mixing them can get your pile skipped.
- Vegetative: trees, trunks, stumps, limbs, leaves
- Construction & demolition: fencing, lumber, roofing, drywall, carpet, furniture
- Appliances / white goods: refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, water heaters
- Electronics: TVs, computers, anything with a cord
- Household hazardous waste: paints, oils, pesticides, batteries
- Normal household trash: regular garbage service, not storm pickup
Official guidance: Santa Rosa County curbside debris flyer · Escambia County: Cleaning up safely · City of Pensacola: After the Storm · Santa Rosa County: Returning Home.
Blocked driveways and access
A tree across the only driveway is a common first call after a storm. Crews often cut just enough to open the driveway first, then return for the rest of the tree or the cleanup. If that's what you need, say so in your request ("open the driveway only" or "full cleanup") so the quote matches. If anyone needs to get out for medical reasons, mention it.
Private roads and HOAs
County pickup normally covers publicly maintained roads. If you live on a private or HOA-maintained road, check with your HOA and your county. Santa Rosa County has published separate Santa Rosa County private-road debris information. Hiring a full haul-off is the fallback.
Watch out for storm chasers
Ask for proof of insurance and a written contract, check local references, and don't pay in full before the work is done. Be cautious of large up-front cash deposits.
Area guides with local pickup and disposal details: Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pace and Navarre.
Common questions
Will insurance pay to remove a fallen tree?
Usually when it damaged a covered structure, subject to your deductible and often a per-tree debris limit. Trees that fall without hitting anything are often not covered.
The county already made a pass. Can I still put debris out?
During Hurricane Isaias recovery, both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties have said crews will make multiple passes and announce the final one in advance. Check the official pages for your area.
Can I take debris somewhere myself?
Yes. Santa Rosa County opened temporary vegetative drop-off sites for Isaias debris and lists them on its debris page, and its Central Landfill accepts yard waste. City of Gulf Breeze residents can use the city transfer station for a fee. Check current hours and rules first.
Get a free quote
Free for homeowners. Only your phone number is required. Your request is passed to independent local tree service provider(s), who contact you directly.