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Here's what to do with tree branches, storm debris after Helene: County-by-county

The First Coast is cleaning up after Hurricane Helene swept through the area.
Credit: Renata Di Gregorio
Tree branches fell on top of a Brunswick resident's car during Hurricane Helene.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thousands of residents across the First Coast are picking up after Hurricane Helene swept through their area. 

Here's what to know about disposing of yard debris, depending on your county.

*Editor's Note: This story will be updated with any new information from county officials

Northeast Florida

Duval County 

The City of Jacksonville is asking the community to follow certain steps when disposing of yard debris. 

All standard solid waste collection must be five cubic yards or less.  

Gather storm debris, including tree limbs, trunks, branches, etc., and separate it. 

Bagged yard waste that meets the five cubic yard limit will be picked up weekly, as usual. 

Debris should be separated by type and placed at least three feet from mailboxes, vehicles and fire hydrants. Bulk waste should follow size requirements and be picked up on preexisting schedules. 

The city noted that it may take a few cycles to fully pick up all yard waste.

Private contractors hired for tree trimming or yard debris removal are required by city ordinance to haul it away.

St. Johns County

Residents are asked to bag any yard debris; it will be picked up on regular collection days. Branches, shrubs, and tree stumps under six feet and 50 pounds should be stacked parallel to the curb.

All leaves, grass clippings and small debris can be placed in a trash bag. Bags must be a maximum of 32 gallons and 50 pounds. Stack palm fronds in piles, with the fan facing away from the curb.

The county will not pick up large yard waste piles that are not separated.

For more information, visit the county's yard waste how-to guide at www.recyclestjohns.com.

Clay County

Residents are asked to have all debris placed by the road by Oct. 7 to ensure it gets picked up. 

The county said crews will begin debris pickup around Wednesday. 

Pile debris by the road, ensuring not to stack debris against storm drains, fire hydrants, trees, etc.

The county's Waste Management will pick up bagged and containerized yard waste, and additional vendors will pick up the remaining storm debris. 

The county is employing debris removal vendors to pick up hurricane debris. There is no limit on non-containerized debris.

The county reminds residents with new garbage provider FCC Environmental Services starting Tuesday, to keep debris more than three feet away from garbage cans. 

Officials said the timeline for pickup is dependant on how much debris is throughout the county. 

Nassau County

Residents are asked to separate any household debris from yard debris and dispose of it through normal channels. 

Any excess yard waste should be cut and bagged, following waste-removal guidelines. 

Residents of local municipalities should follow city and town debris disposal procedures.

Contact a garbage service provider directly with any questions. 

Residents can also take excess yard waste, construction or demolition debris to Sandhill Recycling Center at 153326 CR-108 in Yulee for a fee. 

Columbia County

The county landfill will be open seven days a week beginning Saturday for residents to dispose of yard debris, including tree limbs, branches, etc. The service will only be free of charge for private citizens.

Friday's waste collection will be on Monday, and Monday's collection will be on Tuesday. 

Southeast Georgia

Camden County

A debris hauling service will begin pick up on Tuesday. 

Residents in Kingsland, St. Marys and unincorporated Camden County can separate the following debris for curbside pickup:

  • Tree limbs, branches, etc.
  • Construction material
  • Appliances
  • Electronics
  • Hazardous waste

The county has also designated Old Still laydown yard for additional yard debris drop-off on Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Camden County Landfill has resumed normal operating hours and curbside pickup schedule remains on schedule.

Businesses must dispose of debris directly at the Camden County C & D Landfill.

Glynn County

The county said Saturday it is working with a vendor to plan debris management and removal. 

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