Cleanup After the Storm

[This article was first published in January 2021 and has been updated and revised for 2023.]

When large storm systems move across the country they can leave behind more than rain. Downed trees, limbs, mud, and other debris can be the result.

While the rain will dry up, the mess that it created has to be cleaned up and gotten rid of. And that can be a challenge without the right equipment.

Rain, Rain, Go Away - and the Snow!

Winter 2022-2023 has been a monster!

While the vast majority of the East Coast has been experiencing somewhat warmer temperatures than normal for this time of year, other regions have been swamped with rain and snow.

As a US Today story from March 8, 2023, for example, noted,

While easterners have enjoyed a mostly mild and dry winter, that certainly hasn't been the case in the Far West. "February 2023 was an extraordinary month for snow in California," wrote UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain on his blog Weather West. 

"In the SoCal mountains, particularly the (San Bernardino Mountains), what was arguably the worst blizzard since the late 1980s in this part of the state has led to a widespread state of emergency," wrote Swain, "with folks trapped for extended periods without food or electricity (and resulting in a National Guard activation)."

And there is some good news in the West despite the hardships: Since January, NOAA reports that a series of storms brought "record amounts of rain and snow to California," improving the drought coverage from 98% on January 3 to 49% on February 28.

Despite the media attention on the unseasonable warm temperatures along the East Coast, these were some of the other weather headlines:

Fatalities After Floods in Kentucky and West Virginia

Flooding is pummeling the Southeast U.S.

A waterlogged California is bracing for yet another atmospheric river

And with all the rain, wind, and snow comes broken power lines, flooded streets and homes, downed trees and broken limbs. Leaves and loose debris scattered across property or piled up against buildings and fences. 

Then, once the worst of it subsides, there is the mess remaining that has to be cleaned up. 

Wouldn't it be nice if all you had to do was pile it up or, at the very least, clear a path to get to it?

Storm Debris and Damaged Junk Removal, at Your Service

Now that the bad winter weather appears to be kicking in, people are trying to get stick to their normal routines as much as possible.

And that can be challenging.

As we noted already, a blizzard or rainstorm can often leave a path of destruction in its wake that requires homeowners and businesses to take some immediate action in order to start on repairs.

Here are a few items that shouldn't be overlooked during your post-storm cleanup process:

Damaged Furniture Removal

Outdoor patio furniture and porch items may have been damaged or even destroyed by the rain or snow. Not only are these broken items eyesores, but they also can be hazardous and dangerous to leave outside in the open.

The damage may not have been limited to the outdoor items either. Leaky roofs or flooding could have wrecked items inside your home or place of business. Leaving them around until they finally dry out may not be a good idea as they are prone to developing hazardous mold and fungi if they aren't disposed of quickly.

Yard Waste and Debris

Any big storm is bound to bring down some tree limbs (or even entire trees). These fallen tree limbs either end up strewn across a property, possibly blocking walkways and driveways. In worst-case scenarios, they may even end up causing damage to the house itself.

In addition to tree limbs, other outdoor materials like fence boards, mud and rocks can end up making quite a mess. All of which can leave outdoor spaces dangerous and unusable until the debris is properly removed.

Outdoor Structures

While unfortunate, it's not uncommon for outdoor sheds, storage units, gazebos, and even decks to be damaged or even destroyed by sever weather events. And the resulting debris and junk materials left in their wake must be cleaned up and disposed of somehow. 

Regardless of the materials and the type of structure, if it cannot be repaired then it will need to be removed and properly disposed of. Fortunately, most construction materials for backyard structures are quite recyclable. 

Larger Items

You never know the extent of a storm's damage. Many winter storms are powerful enough to easily cause some areas of destruction within residential neighborhoods. It doesn't take much to damage or destroy many outdoor items, and residential structures are prone to damage, as well.

Cars, boats, bikes, trampolines, basketball hoops, and even entire homes can be broken apart. Needless to say, it's pretty hard to get back to a normal routine when portions of your home are broken or exposed, and building debris is strewn all over. 

Almost as hard as dealing with major damage mentally and emotionally, is the need to figure out how to clean up effectively.

DIY Storm Debris Cleanup May Not Be a Great Option

One of the major issues that often arises during severe weather - and afterwards - is transportation. Roads can be flooded. Homes can be cut off and isolated by snow or mud. Lingering weather can hamper travel. 

Put another way, simply getting anywhere or doing anything can be a challenge. 

Add to this the sheer volume of debris and organic material that can be accumulated after a storm. Most suburban area residents are not equipped to load and haul multiple cubic yards of trash, debris, and junk. They often lack the tools, the vehicles, and the manpower to make that happen!

Along with this, any municipal resources that may be employed to assist in storm damage cleanup are often overtaxed and stretched thin. 

While many homeowners or tenants may prefer to handle the cleanup, loading, and hauling of storm debris themselves, a DIY cleanup after the storm may not be feasible or even possible.  The good news is that there are alternatives that do not require waiting for some city or county assistance to make its way to your home.

The Best Choice for Storm Cleanup Needs

So, you've managed to clear up some major piles of debris and junk - now what do you do?

Not to worry!

A call to Junk King will bring you a team of professional and courteous junk removal specialists who are prepared to relieve you and your property of storm debris and damaged items.

Once you decide to hire out the cleanup and hauling of all your outdoor (and indoor!) storm debris, you need to figure out which firm is the right one for the job.

And while you can certainly find some guy with a truck willing to do it, choosing that alternative may end up costing you more than you hoped to save.

That's another reason why Junk King really is the junk removal firm of choice.

Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly debris removal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick up or disposal of the debris after your cleaning project is complete.

Whether you need our services several times during a cleaning project or just once after it is complete, our hauling professionals will ensure that the debris is out of your way so that you can get on with your life.

Our team specializes in both residential and business trash removal and we can be at your home or facility in mere minutes, so call us today! Our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

One of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle as much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service.

If you have questions about what we can do for you, give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).