Crews are picking up storm debris within the next 90 days, but make sure you don’t miss the window

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Giant trucks with large mechanical arms are a welcome sight in The Heights, where Dave Nickerson has been diligently piling storm debris along the city’s right-of-way.

“We had to bring everything out from back here, get it out to the curb, cut it up so they could take it,” said Nickerson, who has been using his chainsaw extensively over the past few weeks.

The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Department is currently making a first pass to collect debris in every neighborhood and is planning for three passes over the next 90 days.

The department reminds residents that workers cannot enter private property to remove debris; it must be placed in the city’s right-of-way.

“I wish we could,” said Mark Wilfalk, the City of Houston’s director of solid waste. “But due to liability issues, we’re only able to pick up debris at the curb. So, if you have debris on your property, it’s crucial to move it to the curb so it can be collected.”

On the near northside at Quitman, saw Leslie Williams clearing limbs around his sister’s house.

“I’m just clearing things out and making sure they’re within the city’s reach,” Williams said. “It’s a big job.”

Williams came to help his sister, who was upset that CenterPoint contractors had left large tree trunks blocking her driveway after cutting limbs away from power lines.

Williams is more understanding. He knows the workers have been putting in long hours and doesn’t mind helping his sister.

“Look, I’m a working man. Despite the mess, they did a good job. Even the guys who came in from other areas did a great job,” he said.

CenterPoint Energy officials stated that during regular tree maintenance, crews remove the limbs they cut down. However, they do not remove storm debris. Storm debris must be moved to the curb for collection by the City of Houston or Harris County workers.