FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 04, 2016


Curbside pickups of flooding debris under ‘Operation Recovery’ ending on Feb. 15; Pickups continuing Friday, Feb. 5


As Gov. Jay Nixon announced yesterday, with curbside pickups nearing completion, the “Operation Recovery” program will conclude on Monday, Feb. 15. Residents are requested to plan ahead and move separated debris to the curbside in time to meet the Feb. 15 deadline. Moving debris in advance and separating it as described below can help speed the debris removal and recovery process.   

Curbside pickups of construction and demolition debris are scheduled to take place in the following areas on Friday, Feb. 5:

Franklin County: Pacific and unincorporated areas near Union and Robertsville   
Jefferson County: Unincorporated areas near Twin Rivers and mulching of vegetative debris at Jefferson County Winter Park
St. Charles County: West Alton  
St. Louis County: Florissant

This graphic shows how the different debris categories should be separated at the curb: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/docs/separate-flood-debris.pdf

Those in need of assistance getting debris to the curbside should call 2-1-1 for assistance. 2-1-1 can also provide information on disaster-related volunteer opportunities and relief efforts so you can put your time and talent to work to assist others.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is collecting construction and demolition debris, household hazardous waste, paint, orphan containers (hazardous chemical containers swept away by flood water), electronic goods and white goods from residential curbsides. It is important that these waste types be separated at the curb to make for efficient pickup, recycling and proper disposal. Separating debris allow crews to cover more area each day and move toward completing the recovery.

Debris, including small items, should NOT be bagged, but placed in piles at the curb. Information about debris collection in other flood-affected communities of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties that are participating in the Operation Recovery program will be released as available. Residents should continue to check http://www.mo.gov/flood-recovery for updates or check with their local jurisdiction for updates. The site, which is available at MO.gov, includes a list of participating communities, and instructions for separating different categories of debris for curbside pickup, along with restrictions. 

If pickups progress ahead of schedule tomorrow, crews may be able to collect from additional communities tomorrow.

In other communities affected by flooding, debris is being picked up by city workers, regular trash haulers, contractors hired by the local government or volunteers. Please follow local guidance for special instructions in assisting and complying with these efforts.

Operation Recovery is a federal (FEMA) and state debris removal program being coordinated by the Missouri National Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a result of a request for a federal emergency declaration by Gov. Jay Nixon on Jan. 2, and granted by President Barack Obama the same day. 



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