Managing Storm Debris from Hurricanes

**This document is specific to Hurricane Rita but can be applied to most hurricane disasters.

Click here for PDF Document

The purpose of this document is to provide clear guidance on options for managing and disposing debris.

Large volumes of storm debris are generated following natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornados. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has developed the following guidance to assist in managing and disposing debris associated with the cleanup of areas affected by these storms.

During cleanup and recovery efforts following a severe storm, large volumes of various types of storm debris will need to be disposed or burned. Storm debris includes:

• Trees, brush, and other vegetative matter;
• Clean lumber (not including painted, stained or chemically treated wood);
• Construction-demolition waste (sheet rock, roof shingles, treated wood, plastics, etc.);
• Other municipal solid waste (including putrescible waste and special waste); and
• Hazardous waste