Hurricane Ian Debris Removal

Applications submitted prior to March 29, 2023 will be processed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Residents that missed the March 29 deadline are encouraged to contact their county or municipality of residence to submit a formal request to FDEM to consider a personal or commercial property debris removal application. Some late applications may be accepted for the following reasons:

- Applicant had a medical emergency that prevented them from submitting an application prior to the March 29 deadline.
- Applicant did not have access to technology.
- Applicant could not access Disaster Relief Center (DRC) for in-person application help.
- Applicant was unsure about program eligibility.

FDEM will review the late applications on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please call 850-961-2002, Monday - Friday 8 AM - 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9 AM - 5 PM. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Resources

Fact Sheet (PDF)

Social Media Kit for Online Press (PDF)

Press Release Template & Materials (PDF)

Hurricane Ian Debris Removal Program

FAQs

Private and commercial property owners will be asked to identify the following types of debris on their property:

Vegetative Debris: Trees, logs, trunks, branches, limbs, and other leafy material.

Construction and Demolition (C&D): Parts of building structures, carpeting, furniture, roofing, concrete, brick, block, wood, wallboard, metals, carpeting and flooring, insulation, glass, tile, window coverings, plastic pipe, heating and ventilating, and air conditioning systems and their components, light fixtures, furnishings, and fixtures.

White Goods, or discarded household appliances: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers, and water heaters.

Electronic Waste: Cell phones, computers, televisions, monitors, and other items with a cord.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Pesticides, paints, batteries, oils, lawn chemicals, cleaning supplies, and other items that may be explosive, corrosive, or toxic.

Sediment or sand debris.
Please note that by submitting an application, a private or commercial property owner is not automatically approved for debris removal. Approval and qualifying debris will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The State requires written consent from property owners to access their private property to perform debris removal. By submitting an ROE form, homeowners are opting into the State’s debris removal program and granting the State and the agents of the State’s permission to access and enter onto their property to perform these critical functions to protect public health and safety, and help homeowners begin their rebuilding process as quickly as possible.

The State’s debris removal program will be paid for by a combination of insurance proceeds, FEMA reimbursement, and local and state funds. The ROE Form includes a Duplication of Benefits section that explains that homeowners participating in the debris removal program are agreeing to provide their insurance information and cooperate with the State to ensure that all debris removal and mitigation-related insurance proceeds are paid toward the total cost of the State’s debris removal work.

The timeline will vary by property. Once an application is submitted, there is a review process that determines the eligibility of the property and whether the type of debris qualifies for removal assistance under this program. Once a valid Right of Entry (ROE) is obtained, a site assessment will be performed. If the property and debris qualify for debris removal, a work authorization will be issued for removal of the debris within one week.

Privately-owned structures must be certified by the authority having jurisdiction as unsafe, and that it poses an immediate threat to life or public health and safety. Documentation must be obtained to confirm ownership and legal authority, and a Right of Entry (ROE) must be provided prior to crews entering and demolishing the privately-owned structure.
Generally, if more than one wall of a structure is standing and not in immediate danger of collapsing, the removal of that structure is considered to “demolition”.
Demolition of structures owned by commercial enterprises, including businesses, apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes in commercial trailer parks, are generally ineligible as it is expected that the commercial enterprises retain insurance that cover the cost of demolition. In very limited, extraordinary circumstances, an exception may be provided.

Disaster-damaged limbs and trees in danger of falling on developed property with a primary structure, primary ingress or egress routes, or public rights-of-way may be eligible for removal provided the following criteria are met:

Hazardous limbs must be two inches or greater in diameter to be eligible.
Hazardous tree removal is eligible only if the tree is greater than six inches in diameter (measured at diameter breast height) and meets any of the following criterion:
- more than 50% of the crown is damaged or destroyed;
- the trunk is split or broken branches expose the heartwood;
- or the tree is leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees and shows evidence of ground disturbance.

*Excludes threat to damage fences

Contact

For assistance with this application or for general questions, please call FDEM’s Hurricane Ian Debris Cleanup Hotline at 850-961-2002 or email IanDebrisCleanup@em.myflorida.com.

The hours of operation are:

Monday – Friday, 8AM – 8PM
Saturday – Sunday, 9AM – 5PM