15 16 Pre-Hurricane Maintenance • Cut back any trees or branches that contact your house, pool cage, shed or other buildings. • Thin foliage so wind can blow freely through branches, decreasing chances the plant will become uprooted during a storm. • Place trimmings at the curb on your regular collection day. Yard waste must be placed in a container or securely tied into bundles no heavier than 50 pounds and no longer than six feet in length. • Up to 50 pounds of unbundled palm fronds may be placed at the curb. Once a storm has been named or a hurricane watch/warning has been issued: • Do not cut down trees or do any major yard work. Mass cutting produces a burden on the normal collection process. • Do not begin construction projects that produce debris unless absolutely necessary to protect life and property. • Clear your property of any items that could become a projectile during a storm and place them at the curb on your regular waste collection day. • Secure all debris and do not place materials of any kind at the curb during a Watch or Warning period. • Services may be suspended and facilities closed early to prepare for the storm. For information on the status of collection services and disposal facilities, residents should check www. leegov. com/solidwaste or monitor local media. After the storm has passed: • Most important – keep storm debris separate from your regular household garbage and recycling. • Storm debris should be sorted into separate piles for vegetative debris, appliances and structural debris. • Pick up will generally be done with a mechanized claw truck. Everything to be collected should be located away from buried electric/phone lines, mailboxes, and utility equipment including power poles, power lines, electric meters, fire hydrants, etc. Inspectors will tour each part of the county to determine where collection needs are greatest. • Be patient. Following a storm, the No. 1 priority is collecting household garbage. Uncollected garbage attracts pests and can spread disease. Vegetative waste can wait. • Debris collection guidance and recovery process updates will be available at www.leegov.com/ solidwaste Solid Waste Storm Guide ResidentsandvisitorscanwatchforLeeCountyEmergency Management updates via social media channels on Facebook (LCEMFL), and Twitter (@LCEMFL and @LeeEOC). Read the Lee County All Hazards Guide online at www.leegov.com/allhazardsguide UF/IFAS Lee County Extension Services offers residents education and training on how to care for their Florida yards and neighborhoods at www. leegov.com/parks/extension. You can reach the Master Gardener help line at 239-533-7505.