SEMA News Release

Time is running out for residents to get any remaining flooding debris to curbsides for pickup under the “Operation Recovery” debris removal program. Residents are being urged to act as soon as possible since the federal-state program for the St. Louis region ends Monday, Feb. 15. Federal contract crews will be removing debris during the weekend and Monday, Presidents’ Day.

Since Jan. 9, Operation Recovery crews have been picking up residential flood debris in 20 participating jurisdictions in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties. With more than 98 percent of identified flooding debris collected to date, the need for state and federal debris removal assistance is ending. Commercial debris is not eligible under the program.

Residents in the 20 jurisdictions who need help getting their debris to the curbside should contact United Way 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-427-4626  |  TTY: 866-385-6525. The participating jurisdictions are: Arnold, Byrnes Mill, Eureka, Fenton, Florissant, Herculaneum, Kimmswick, Kirkwood, O’Fallon, Pacific, Portage des Sioux, St. Charles, St. Peters, Union, Valley Park and West Alton, as well as unincorporated areas of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties. 

Officials urge residents not to wait for inspections by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Small Business Administration before clearing out flood-damaged contents or debris.

Through Wednesday, Feb. 10, Operation Recovery crews have removed and disposed of 2,716 tons of construction and demolition debris, 1,201 tons of sandbags and more than 26,000 household hazardous waste items, appliances and electronic goods from the 20 participating jurisdictions.  

Residents are requested to separate debris as described in this graphic, which will make for more efficient pickup, recycling and proper disposal, and will help speed the recovery process:    

http://sema.dps.mo.gov/docs/separate-flood-debris.pdf.  Debris, including small items, should NOT be bagged, but placed in piles at the curb.

Because the communities participating in Operation Recovery represent about 2,400 square miles, the sooner residential debris is placed at the curbside, the faster and more efficiently it can be removed.

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 and state debris removal program coordinated by the Missouri National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 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.