(Richardson, TX) – Contractors hired by Richardson to monitor and manage the removal of storm-related debris from public property and public rights-of-way (ROW) will begin debris removal Friday, October 25, 2019. City contractors will not pick up normal household trash or recycling.

  • No commercial debris or hazardous waste will be removed by the City. All debris placed on the ROW must be related to this disaster.
  • Contractors hired for repair or demolition on private property are required to remove and dispose of debris, rather than placing debris on the ROW.
  • All vehicles in the impacted area will need to move from neighborhood streets when debris clearing vehicles arrive to allow for passage of oversized trailers.

Debris Separation From Trash/Recycling Critical For Timely Removal  

Homeowners and volunteers who place residential debris on the ROW should keep disaster debris separate from household garbage. Clean vegetative debris should be placed separately from construction/demolition debris and other materials such as appliances.

Please place debris outside of travel lanes and drainage ditches and away from obstacles such as mail boxes, fire hydrants and water/gas meters.

To help with the process PLEASE DO:

– Place disaster-related debris on the street Right-Of-Way (ROW), not by the alley,

– Place debris just behind the curb, do not block travel lanes or drainage ditches,

– Keep disaster-related debris separate from regular household garbage, recycling, and

– Where practical, place clean vegetative debris in separate piles from construction/demolition debris and other materials.

Please DO NOT:

– DO NOT place debris in alleys,

– DO NOT comingle household garbage with disaster-related debris, and other materials, and

– DO NOT place debris near obstacles such as gas/water meters, fire hydrants or mail boxes.

  1. Household Garbage: Bagged trash, discarded food, packaging, and papers.  All garbage should be placed in the alley or at your normal collection point.
  2. Vegetative Debris:  Tree branches, leaves, logs.
  3. White Goods/Appliances/Electronics:  Refrigerators, dryers, washers, freezers, AC unites, stoves, water heaters and dishwashers, TVs, computers, radios, stereos, gaming systems (Xbox/Playstations), telephones.
  4. C & D: Construction debris, building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, mattresses, plumbing materials.

No commercial debris or hazardous waste will be removed by the City.

Debris Collection Timing

Storm debris removal will begin Friday, October 25, 2019. The City will send out communications specifying when the final debris collections will take place.

How You Can Help

The best ways to help is by removing vehicles and other obstructions from your neighborhood street and placing your debris material in the way described above.

We ask all residents to please be patient with this process and know we are working to restore the community to its pre-storm state. Your cooperation and support enables us to complete the entire process in the quickest, safest and most efficient manner possible. We will provide updates on the progress of debris collection.

For questions related to debris removal, call 972-744-4111.

Trash/Recycling Collection

Normal Monday trash collection services in the tornado-damaged area east of US 75 and south of Centennial Blvd. will resume Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 7 a.m. Any residential trash not picked up Saturday will be picked up Monday, October 28, 2019.

Normal recycling collection service in the tornado-damaged area will begin on your next normal collection day.

Solid waste workers will not pick up storm related debris. Please call 972-744-4111 with any questions regarding trash, recycling or Brush and Bulky Item Collection service.

Volunteer Coordination Center To Open Thursday

The City has received several requests for information about what residents and organizations can do in response to the recent tornado event. To assist in making these connections, a Volunteer Coordination Center will open Thursday, October 24, 2019 to connect volunteers with victims in need.

People wishing to register to volunteer or request assistance can call 972-744-0900 beginning Thursday, Oct. 24 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteer Coordination Center Time/Location  

Richardson’s Huffhines Recreation Center is serving as the Volunteer Coordination Center. It is located at: 200 N Plano Rd., Richardson, TX 75081

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People Seeking Ways To Donate Money/Food/Clothing

The Network of Community Ministries is a philanthropic partner that works with the City of Richardson and provides food, clothing and other forms of assistance to those in need. The Network is requesting monetary, food and clothing donations to assist those in the tornado impacted areas and has volunteer opportunities for people wishing to donate time to stock food shelves or separate donated supplies. Additionally, the agency also has case managers who can assist individuals to find access to long-term support services.

The Network of Community Ministries (thenetwork.org) is located at 741 S Sherman St, Richardson, TX 75081.

Debris Clearing Volunteer Services

The Texas Baptist Men has setup a phone number for residents to register their homes for the organization to help them with property cleanup or blue tarp installation. Volunteers with the organization also use chainsaws to help with vegetative debris clearing.

The numbers to call to register are:

  • 972-639-7215
  • 972-639-7216
  • Or 972-639-7228

Residents can leave a message if someone does not answer the phone.

Power Outages (UPDATED)

Oncor reports power outages to approximately 500 customers throughout the city.

Oncor power outage information:

  • Web: stormcenter.oncor.com
  • Phone: 888-313-4747

Mutual-aid Agreements Bring External City Workers

Municipal workers from other cities continue to work in Richardson to assist with the tornado recovery and response. Residents in the tornado impacted areas can expect to see equipment from those cities in local neighborhoods as they assist with road and alley clearing.

Power Restoration Home Safety Concerns

If tree limbs have fallen on the service power line to your home contact an electrician as soon as possible. Lines inside structures may be damaged which can start a fire when power is restored. Signs of damaged electrical wiring inside a structure include popping sounds when power is restored. You may also smell material burning. Call 911 if you notice these signs.

Lost Pets

The Richardson Animal Shelter hosts a lost-and-found pet website at cor.net/lostpet. Anyone who has lost or found a dog or cat can visit the site to post pictures or find more information. Pets found in the storm damage area are being held at the Richardson Animal Shelter located at 1330 Columbia Dr, Richardson, TX 75081.

Scam Awareness Urged in Storm Aftermath
After any storm that causes widespread damage there is usually an increase in workers going door-to-door or calling on the phone to offer repairs and cleanup work, and some may be scam artists. Emergency workers recommend taking the following steps before signing any contracts:

  • Get more than one estimate for repairs
  • Do NOT prepay contractors for services, materials, retainers or deposits
  • Read contract details and don’t sign anything that adds a lien on your property
  • Be sure to verify all contractors, and be extra cautious if they have out-of-state plates—check ratings, references and the Better Business Bureau
  • Make sure contractors are registered with the City of Richardson (click here for a list)

Sometimes, scam or “fake” charities will solicit donations in a community hit by a storm—be sure to give to local charities you know. If someone approaches you in a parking lot explaining they have been displaced by the storm and need assistance, refer them to a local charity such as Network of Community Ministries, 741 S. Sherman St.

Residents With Pools

Even if the water is saturated with dirt and debris, residents are advised not to drain their swimming pools. Draining the swimming pool can lead the pool to “float” or “pop” out of the ground due to an elevated water table. The best bet is to clean the water currently in the pool, no matter how dirty it may look.

Sources For More Information

More information will be released as it becomes available. Residents can follow updates on the following social media sites:

Utility Contact Information:

  • Atmos Energy emergency number: 866-322-8667
  • Oncor power outage information: 888-313-4747