Curbside Flood Debris Collection Program Comes to an End

A month after Sonoma County was hit by a storm that caused historical floods, the Curbside Flood Debris Collection Program established in response to that disaster will come to an end.

“The program was launched on March 11, 2019 to assist Russian River communities with the significant amount of waste created by the flood disaster, and was set to end on March 22, 2019,” shared Chairman of the Board of Supervisors David Rabbitt. “However, after receiving input from community partners and work crews, we extended the program until March 24, 2019 to give residents an additional weekend.”

These changes allow for residents to have one extra weekend, until Sunday, March 24, 2019, to place the flood related debris on their curbside. Crews will carry a final sweep from March 25 - 29, 2019. Illegal dumping enforcement will begin during that same week after the streets have been cleared from debris. Anyone who tosses debris on the curbside after the street has been cleaned by crews, as part of their final sweep, will be subject to fines.

“We heard our residents and responded with the curbside debris collection program to help relieve some of the burden the recent flood placed on them” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose district was most impacted by the recent floods. “Now we are asking them to take a last look at their property, place their flood debris on the curbside by the end of Sunday, March 24, 2019, so that we can close this chapter and move on to the next in our recovery phase.”

Starting the week of March 25 – 29, 2019 and thereafter, Sonoma County agencies will enforce the Sonoma County Code against illegal dumping, and similar violations, on the streets that have been cleared as part of the final sweep by hauling crews. Consequences range from a $100 administrative citation per day for first violations, to criminal prosecution.

Residents are asked to place flood debris at their curb for pick up in three separate piles, including appliances, metals, and other recyclables; household hazardous waste; and other debris through Sunday, March 24th, 2019. In order for the County to be reimbursed for debris collection costs it is imperative that residents place debris in front of their home - debris must be associated with the address of origin in order to be reimbursed. The more the County can be reimbursed by State or Federal sources, the more local dollars are available for other community services.

Residents are also encouraged to bring hazardous household waste (HHW) to a final collection event planned for March 23, 2019  at Sunset Beach River Park, 11403 River Road, in Forestville. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will accept hazardous home waste and e-waste from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot. There is no cost to use the service, but residents will be asked to show proof they live in a flood-affected community. 

The County also provided multiple flood debris drop-off sites in Russian River communities during the first week of March. Officials estimate approximately 2700 tons of debris have been collected so far. 1700 tons come from the debris boxes, and an estimated 1000 tons have been gathered through the curbside flood debris collection program.

For more information visit SoCoEmergency.org.