HURRICANE SEASON CLEANUP: 5 HIDDEN JUNK HAZARDS TO REMOVE
Florida hurricane season officially KICKED OFF ON June 1—and while most people stock up on water and batteries, there’s another form of prep that often gets overlooked: cleaning up your property. And we’re not just talking about bringing in patio cushions.
When a storm rolls in, even the smallest items can become serious hazards. Loose junk in your yard, along your fence line, or tucked behind your shed can turn into dangerous projectiles during high winds—causing costly damage to your home or your neighbor’s.
This post breaks down the five most common (and most overlooked) junk hazards that homeowners and HOAs should address right now. We’ll also share how TrashHelp helps communities throughout Palm Beach County, Central Florida, and Florida’s Gulf Coast get storm-ready—before cleanup turns into a costly emergency.
Why Storm Prep Starts with Cleanup
Storm prep usually means gathering supplies, boarding up windows, and securing insurance documents. But physical cleanup is just as important—and in many cases, it’s the first step toward actual safety.
When hurricane-force winds hit, anything not bolted down can go flying. This includes items like:
Disassembled playground equipment
Scrap wood or metal
Loose bricks, pavers, or cinder blocks
Broken lawn chairs or unused patio furniture
Leftover construction debris
The result? Flying hazards that can break windows, damage roofs, or injure people and pets.
Whether you’re a homeowner in Wellington, a property manager in Boca, or part of an HOA in Westlake or Palm Beach Gardens, now is the time to take a walk around your property and see what needs to go before the next system forms offshore.
5 Hidden Junk Hazards to Remove Before a Hurricane
Even well-kept yards and driveways can become danger zones if you’re not paying attention. Here’s what to look for—and what to do about it.
1. Stacked Pavers, Bricks, or Landscaping Materials
That pile of extra pavers from your last patio project? It’s not just an eyesore—it’s a hazard. These materials are heavy but surprisingly mobile when caught in high winds.
✔️ If you’re not using them, schedule a removal or rent a dumpster.
✔️ If they’re staying, move them into a secured shed or anchor them in place.
2. Old or Broken Lawn Furniture
Whether it’s a cracked plastic lounger or that rusty fire pit, anything light enough to shift—or heavy enough to break things if it does—needs to be moved or removed.
✔️ Check along the side of your house or behind the garage for forgotten items.
✔️ If it’s no longer usable, it’s time to let it go.
3. Construction Debris
Renovating? That pile of wood, drywall, or roofing materials sitting curbside or in your side yard won’t stay put during a tropical storm.
✔️ Book a bulk debris pickup or call for a dumpster before the next rain system hits.
✔️ Don’t rely on your weekly TRASH PICKUP—they usually won’t take construction waste.
4. Yard Waste & Tree Trimmings
Even palm fronds can become high-speed hazards. Many residents trim trees right before a storm—but don’t realize that anything exceeding the 6 cubic yard county limit won’t be picked up.
✔️ Stay ahead of storm season by clearing yard debris early.
✔️ Consider a grapple truck or dumpster rental if the pile is big.
5. Miscellaneous Junk & Forgotten Equipment
This is the category where most hazards hide—think broken kids’ toys, plastic bins, busted garden tools, unused BBQs, or that half-full bag of concrete you never tossed.
✔️ If it’s not anchored, it’s a threat.
✔️ Decluttering now means less chaos later.
Storm Cleanup Planning Chart
Here’s a simple planning chart to help get your home or HOA property in shape before the next storm makes headlines.
How TrashHelp Can Support Your Storm Prep
TrashHelp works with homeowners, property managers, and HOAs across Florida to clean up before the chaos. We help prevent post-storm messes and minimize the risk of dangerous debris.
Here’s how:
🚛 Dumpster Rentals: Ideal for DIY cleanups. We’ll drop it off, you fill it, and we’ll haul it away—no extra trips to the dump.
🧹 Full-Service Junk Removal: Our team will remove the junk for you. Perfect for when the list is long and the clock is ticking.
🌴 Grapple Truck Services: Great for large piles of vegetation or construction debris. Especially useful in areas like The Acreage or Loxahatchee where piles exceed SWA limits.
💦 Pressure Cleaning (for HOAs & Commercial Only): We also offer pre- and post-storm pressure washing to clear mildew, grime, and algae before or after heavy rains.
Your Hurricane Cleanup Checklist ✅
You can copy and paste this checklist into your storm prep notes, group chat, or HOA newsletter:
✔️ Clear any yard debris (palm fronds, limbs, shrubs)
✔️ Remove broken lawn furniture and unused items
✔️ Secure heavy materials like bricks or bagged mulch
✔️ Book a bulk pickup or dumpster for construction waste
✔️ Walk the entire property (including the sides and rear)
✔️ Confirm cleanup plans with neighbors or property managers
✔️ Make a plan for post-storm cleanup just in case
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm Warning
Getting rid of junk before the rain comes is cheaper, faster, and safer than dealing with it afterward. And once the forecast changes, so do availability and pricing.
If your property needs a little extra help this month—whether you’re clearing a backyard in Boca or prepping an HOA in West Palm—TrashHelp is ready to step in.
📞 Call or text (561) 316-8668
🌐 Visit www.trashhelp.com/contact
We’ll make sure your yard—and your neighborhood—is ready for whatever the season brings.
