Following the severe weather event last Friday, Saint Louis County has initiated a storm debris removal program specifically for those living in unincorporated neighborhoods. According to a press release posted on the county's official website, the Department of Transportation will be leading the charge, deploying crews equipped with heavy machinery — front-end loaders and dump trucks — to clear tree limbs and similar natural debris from the storm.
This cleanup service will be happening over the coming two weeks, and residents are instructed to place their tree-related debris behind the curb in front of their homes to be collected. However, this service has its limitations. The program does not extend to private property, meaning county personnel won’t be able to remove anything that isn’t left by the curb. And it's not just about where you leave your debris. Only branches and sticks will be taken; anything else left out will remain untouched, possibly a visual reminder of nature's capacity for chaos.
“Saint Louis County is committed to helping residents recover from the storm’s impact,” County Executive Sam Page remarked in an announcement on St. Louis County. Page is urging residents to also report any storm damage they’ve sustained by dialing the United Way’s 211 line, an effort to quantify the storm's toll and possibly align resources for recovery.
Specific guidelines for the debris are in place due to the nature of its disposal, as the material collected will be processed into mulch for use in county parks. “This program is strictly limited to the removal of tree debris deposited by last Friday’s storm,” County DOT public information manager David Wrone clarified in the statement on the St. Louis County. The stipulation means that residents will need to find alternative ways of disposing of other storm-damaged property materials like shingles or siding.
For residents in incorporated areas, similar waste removal services are being handled by their local municipalities. Details of those services would likely vary, and residents should check with their respective city or town officials for specific instructions and assistance.
