Does homeowners insurance pay for storm debris removal?

Many policies cover reasonable debris removal tied to a covered loss, sometimes with a limit for trees. Check your policy, keep photos and save the hauler's receipt.

Will the city pick up storm debris?

After large storms, cities around Austin sometimes run special collections. Watch your city's announcements for dates, sorting rules and deadlines.

How fast should wet carpet and drywall come out after a flood?

As soon as possible. Mold can begin within a day or two, so get wet materials out and dry the space quickly.

Storm debris cleanup checklist for Central Texas homeowners

By PickUp Haulers · October 31, 2026

Old desk, monitor and electronics left outside on leaves

Short answer: stay safe first, then photograph everything for insurance before you move anything. Sort debris into brush, construction debris, appliances and household items, watch for your city's storm collection announcements, and call a hauler for what can't wait or won't be collected.

Central Texas sees hailstorms, high winds, ice storms that bring down limbs, and flash floods. The cleanup steps are much the same.

1. Safety first

Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them. Report them to your electric utility.
Don't run generators indoors or in a garage.
Watch for hanging limbs before you walk under trees.
Wear gloves, boots and eye protection. Storm debris hides nails, glass and sharp metal.
Leave big tree work to pros. Chainsaw work on fallen trees under tension is dangerous.
Flooded homes: turn off power at the breaker only if it's safe to reach. Assume floodwater is contaminated.

2. Document for insurance

Take photos and video of all damage before cleanup: roof, siding, fences, cars, trees, inside the home.
Keep damaged items until your adjuster says you can throw them out, or photograph them closely with model and serial numbers.
Save receipts for emergency repairs, tarps and debris removal. Many policies cover reasonable cleanup costs.
Call your insurer early. Adjusters book up fast after a big storm.

3. Sort debris the way crews expect

If your city runs a storm collection, crews usually want debris sorted into separate piles at the curb:

Pile	What goes in it
Vegetation	Branches, limbs, leaves (no bags, often cut to length)
Construction debris	Fencing, roofing, drywall, carpet, lumber
Appliances	Fridges, freezers, washers, AC units
Household hazardous	Paint, chemicals, propane (separate, never mixed)
Electronics	TVs, computers

Keep piles out of the street, away from storm drains, and clear of mailboxes, fire hydrants and meters.

4. Watch for city storm collection

After major storms, cities around Austin sometimes run special brush or debris collections with their own rules and deadlines. Watch your city's website and social media. These pickups can take weeks to reach every street.

5. Call a hauler when

Debris is blocking your driveway, a door or a path.
Wet carpet, drywall and furniture need to go now, before mold sets in.
Your fence or shed is down and needs tearing out.
Your city doesn't collect the material, or the collection deadline has passed.
You need the receipt for your insurance claim.

PickUp Haulers clears storm debris across Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Austin and Lakeway. Most yard and storm debris jobs are a half to full trailer ($225–$450). See yard waste removal and demolition.

6. After the cleanup

Check gutters and drains for debris.
Have trees inspected if they lost large limbs.
Watch for mold in any room that got wet. It can start within a day or two.

Need help now?

Call or text (512) 861-7732 with photos. After big storms we get busy fast, so send photos early and we'll give you a price and the first open slot.