Updated: Winter storm cleanup information

Apr 12, 2023

Updated Monday, April 10, 3:26 p.m.

Para traducir esta página al español, haga clic en el cuadro de traducción cerca de la parte superior derecha de esta página y seleccione español.

This page outlines resources and options as we work through the aftermath of the winter storm Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2023. Click any of the topics below to be taken directly to that section.

Tree debris cleanup
Answers to frequently asked questions
Debris cleanup tweetalong
Trees in powerlines
Heritage trees
Reporting damage
Electricity

Tree debris cleanup

Trees touching a power line must be reported by emailing customercare@georgetown.org. Please include “Winter Storm 2023 Electric Meter” in the subject.

To find out whether you live inside the Georgetown city limits, please enter your address into this map. Georgetown city limits are denoted by the light orange shading. If you still aren’t sure, please email customercare@georgetown.org.

Special, curbside limb collection: In-city residents only

A special curbside collection of tree limbs for city residents ended Friday, April 7. Residents should email their address to customercare@georgetown.org if they:

Live inside the City limits (enter your address here to confirm)
Had their debris to the curb by Feb. 27
Their debris has not been collected.

The special collection started Feb. 27. If a resident did not place storm-related tree debris on their curb by Feb. 27, the City could not guarantee pickup.

There was no special fee assessed to city residents for this limb collection and residents did not need to register for the service; however there were some guidelines they needed to follow.

The City’s contractor started pickup Feb. 27 and will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until they went through the entire city. This work concluded April 7, 2023.

For answers to frequently asked questions about this special collection, see the FAQ section below.

Regular Texas Disposal Systems services: Georgetown residents and some municipal utility districts

Georgetown residents and some municipal utility districts* have several options through their regular Texas Disposal Systems services. Call TDS at 512-930-1715 with questions.

(best option)Curbside yard trimming pickup: First recycling day of the month. Limited to up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck), and it must be bundled and left on the curb without blocking the street or sidewalk. More details and bundling requirements here. Because of the timing of the storm, some might have missed the February pickup. You will not be cited if the limbs remain in the right of way until the March pickup.
(next best option)Bulky waste pickup: Call TDS at 512-930-1715 to schedule a bulky waste pickup. Limited to up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck), and it must be bundled and left on the curb without blocking the street or sidewalk. Customers get four free per fiscal year, and it will be scheduled for your next trash pickup. More information and bundling requirements here.
Transfer Station Drop Off: Georgetown residents may also drop off up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck) of yard trimmings each month at the Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road. Please bring a copy of your utility bill to show proof of residence to have your fees waived. If you have more than three cubic yards of debris, please see additional drop off locations and fees under the “Storm debris drop off” section below.

*These three services are also available to the following Municipal Utility Districts:

Berry Creek Highlands: Located at the west side of Hwy. 195 at the southeast corner of Hwy. 195 and Shell Spur Road
Parmer Ranch (a.k.a. Northwest Williamson County 2): Located east of Williams Drive and to the west of CR 245, on the north and south side of Ronald Reagan Boulevard
Parkside on the River (a.k.a. Parkside on the River MUD 1 and Williamson County MUD 25): Located south of Hwy. 29 at Water Oak Parkway and north of RM 2243/Leander Road between the Preserve Subdivision and the River Ridge Subdivision
Oaks at San Gabriel (a.k.a. West Williamson County 1): Located north of Hwy. 29 and east of the Cimarron Hills subdivision
Teravista (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 15): Located east of I-35 and north of University Boulevard
Water Oak (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 25): Located south of Hwy. 29 at Water Oak Parkway and north of RM 2243/Leander Road (north side of neighborhood)
Cimarron Hills (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 26): Located along Hwy. 29, west Oaks at San Gabriel neighborhood.
Crescent Bluff (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 30): Located west of I-35, south of Hwy. 29 and west of the Water Oak subdivision

Residents in the extraterritorial jurisdiction

The monthly, regular services listed above are available to in-City residents and eligible municipal utility districts, because of the fees they pay. The special curbside limb collection and additional drop-off location were paid for with City property taxes. Residents in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, who do not pay those costs, are not be eligible for any of these services.

Residents in the ETJ and commercial customers should contact their solid waste provider to learn about their options. You also can hire a private contractor or haul debris to a collection site—fees and limits apply.

Storm debris drop off

Here are some other resources for residents and businesses who need to drop off tree and storm debris (see above for information about the additional drop-off location free for Georgetown residents):

Georgetown Transfer Station, 250 W.D. Waldon Drive: $8.25 per cubic yard (a pickup truck bed is about 3 cubic yards, so would cost about $25)
Organics By Gosh, 2040 FM 969 (in Austin): Pickup Truck $32; trailer $62
Killeen Transfer Station, 12200 Hwy. 195: Nonresidents pay $4.62 per 100 pounds (a pickup truck bed is about 3 cubic yards, so would cost about $40)

Go back up ^

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Special curbside collection

The City of Georgetown contracted with a landscaping firm to pick up tree limbs in City limits that resulted from the winter storm Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2023. This FAQ addresses key questions about the special pickup.

It’s April; why hasn’t my debris been collected?
The City ended its special curbside pickup of tree-limb debris April 7, 2023. If you live in the City limits, had your debris to your curb by Feb. 27, and your debris has not been collected, please email customercare@georgetown.org.

Only natural debris from Winter Storm Mara was collected. The contractor visited each street only once.

I missed the special collection service. What options do I have with my natural debris?
If you live inside the city limits or qualifying MUDs (see list above), your best option is to place your tree and limb debris by the curb on the first recycling day of the month. Debris must be in bundles, a personal container, or a compostable paper bag.

Your next best option is to schedule a bulky waste pickup from Texas Disposal Systems.

Georgetown + qualifying MUD residents may also drop off up to 3 cubic yards (about one pickup truck) of yard trimmings each month at the Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road. Please bring a copy of your utility bill to show proof of residence to have your fees waived.

Am I eligible for the special curbside tree debris pickup?
The City’s contractor collected tree debris left on the curb by Feb. 26 of every resident living inside the city of Georgetown. To find out whether you live inside the Georgetown city limits, please enter your address into this map. Georgetown city limits are denoted by the light orange shading. If you still aren’t sure, please email customercare@georgetown.org.

This complimentary service was funded by the City’s general fund, so only City of Georgetown residents were eligible for this service. All other area residents should refer to the options listed above.

When will the tree limb pickup begin and end?
The City ended its curbside pickup Friday, April 7. The City worked with our contractor to move as quickly and efficiently as possible while assuring the work is done safely and completely.

Tree limb pickup started Feb. 27. Limbs and brush needed to be piled at the curb by Sunday, Feb. 26. Pickup crews will worked 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

The cleanup effort was conducted street by street across the city. A contracted debris monitor accompanied the contractors to monitor the work.

How much will I be charged for the special tree limb and debris collection?
There was no special fee assessed to Georgetown residents for this limb and debris collection. The cleanup was a City service provided to residents funded by the general fund, so only City of Georgetown residents were eligible for this service.

Who performed the special curbside pickup?
The City hired a private contractor to provide the special curbside pickup service. A contracted debris monitor accompanied the contractors to monitor the work.

What if I am a senior, disabled, do not have the necessary equipment, or the limbs are too large/heavy for me to place at the curb?
Neither City staff nor its contractors went onto private property beyond the street edge to cut up trees or limbs or move material to the curb. Those who need help cutting up or removing tree limbs can contact the Austin Disaster Relief Network or should hire a private company.

Were the City contractors required to have any identification?
Information was provided to the City’s contractor that states they are working for the City and there will be a City escort with each contractor.

Would the City contractor contact me personally or asking for any type of payment?
No. The City’s contractor for limb and debris removal did not knock on doors or trying to contact residents. If needed, City of Georgetown employees would reach out to contact you about the collection at your residence. No contractor working for the City of Georgetown would have asked for information or payment from you.

Be aware that after a severe weather event, debris removal and repair contractors may be coming to our area and contacting residents. If you do choose to hire a firm to remove limbs or debris, do not make any payments before the work is completed.

What if I have other questions?
If you have additional questions that were not addressed in the FAQ, please contact City of Georgetown Customer Care at customercare@georgetown.org or call 512-930-3640.

Trees in the rights of way

If a damaged tree is in the public right of way, and the property owner acts to trim or cut down that damaged tree, can they be reimbursed by the City? If the property owner does not act, will the City come out and maintain that tree?
If a tree is on private property, but in the public right of way, it is the individual property owner’s responsibility to maintain the tree.

Will the City reimburse property owners for damage to their property from a tree that is on private property but in the public right of way?
If a right of way tree damages private property, the resident should remove the tree and address any damage through their private insurance. The City will not go on private property to remove or cut down trees or limbs. The City will not reimburse the homeowner.

If a cable or communications line is damage, who will make the repairs?
The telecommunications company that owns and maintains the line will make the repairs. The City’s Electric Utility is in close communication with both Optimum and Frontier to advocate for quick resolution of downed telecommunication lines.

Go back up ^

Debris cleanup Tweetalong

On Feb. 27, the City’s contractor, business name?, began curbside pickup of debris from Winter Storm Mara, which hit Georgetown in early February. We wanted to take our residents on a behind-the-scenes look and ride along with Lenny Claypoole, who has been working with Global Emergency Services for several years.

The contractor has deployed seven trucks to work throughout the City cleaning up debris placed along the street by residents in the city limits. Find out more about the curbside pickup, including answers to some of our most frequently asked questions elsewhere on this page.

Claypoole said his tips for people with curbside tree debris is to make sure it’s:

Not under trees or utility lines
Away from electrical boxes or hydrants, and
Not behind cars parked on the street.

Crews are working as quickly as they can, and these barriers can make it difficult to get the job done. He also said residents shouldn’t worry if they see a truck skip a brush pile. The driver will be back. There are several reasons they may skip one or two piles on your street, including that the truck may need to turn around to best get around obstacles or to be in a better position to collect those specific piles.

The trucks’ trailers can carry up to 158 cubic yards of debris. While it seems like a lot, watching them work to collect debris, it’s surprising how quickly those trucks fill up. Claypoole said he appreciates how welcoming Georgetown residents have been and asks that people be patient as the crews continue to work. In some of the harder-hit areas or areas with a lot of trees and overhead utility lines, it may take longer for crews to get through the neighborhood.

While the City does not have a neighborhood schedule for pickup, crews are working and will collect all debris that has been left at the curb as of Feb. 26. Items left after the trucks have passed through neighborhoods will not be collected.

Check out our Twitter feed to see our Tweetalong!

City contractor Lenny Claypoole prepares for winter storm tree debris collection

We spent the morning of Feb. 28 with Lenny from the City’s Winter Storm debris cleanup contractor to take a firsthand look at cleanup efforts in Georgetown.

The contractor is making its way through the City. If you see the trucks come through but your house is skipped don’t worry! They will be back. Lenny said the trucks sometimes need to adjust positions to be able to pick everything up, especially if the pile is under a tree or near other obstacles.

The contractor is working to clean up tree debris.

Truck loads of tree debris being inspected before dumping

Trucks are checked by a monitor before it’s unloaded and rechecked before it goes back out.

Please avoid parking on the street this week, especially in front of piles of storm debris because it makes it harder for trucks to move along the neighborhood streets and to pick up the limbs.

Lenny saying goodbye at the end of the tweetalong.

The contracted crews will be out picking up debris until the job is done.

Tree limbs & downed electric lines

The City WILL NOT go on private property to remove or cut down tree limbs. If you are a Georgetown utility customer and have tree limbs on power lines, DO NOT touch them. This includes limbs on feeder lines along the street or on service lines between your house and a pole.

Please report any downed power lines to customercare@georgetown.org and include “Winter Storm 2023 Electric Meter” in the subject.

For limbs on electric feeder lines along the street, the electric utility will remove the limb and make any needed repairs.

For limbs on a service line from a pole to your house, or for damaged or disconnected service lines, you must work with the City to disconnect/reconnect your electric service. Report the downed line to customercare@georgetown.org. Once the request is received and processed, our crews will disconnect electricity while the repairs are made by the private contractor hired by the resident. City electric crews will not be making repairs on private property.

Cable companies are responsible for their lines. We have notified the local cable companies that they have compromised lines in Georgetown.

Go back up ^

Removing and pruning heritage trees

If you had a heritage tree damaged in the winter storm, make sure you take pictures and store them somewhere you can easily find them later. This may help with future pruning or removal permits.

Not sure if your tree qualifies as a heritage tree? The Heritage Tree classification applies to any of the following tree species that has a diameter of 26 inches or larger: Live Oak, Post Oak, Shumard Oak, Bur Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Monterey Oak, Bald Cypress, American Elm, Cedar Elm, Pecan, Walnut, Texas Ash, or Southern Magnolia.

For more details or questions, please email planning@georgetown.org.

Go back up ^

Reporting damage

The State of Texas, Williamson County, and the City of Georgetown have issued disaster declarations due to the winter storm (Read the City’s disaster declaration). If you experienced any damage to your home or business from this winter weather, fill out this survey to help state officials document damages. Damage can include cost of spoiled food from power outages, frozen pipes, and roof or solar panel damage from falling limbs. Do not include broken or damaged trees, as this reporting only considers damages to homes and businesses.

To receive help from the federal government during a disaster, states need to submit a preliminary damage assessment that details the severity of the damage. The assessment will determine whether the federal government needs to provide aid and how much money will be available to residents.

This report does not replace notifying your insurance company or guarantee assistance.

Esta encuesta también está disponible en español. Para traducir esta página al español, haga clic en el cuadro de traducción cerca de la parte superior derecha de esta página y seleccione español.

Go back up ^

Electricity

For Georgetown electric utility outages, check our online outage map. If you don’t see your location included in the outage, please call 512-930-3640, then press 1 to report it. Our system will recognize your number if it’s tied to your utility account.

Many Georgetown residents may not have City electric. Other area providers include Oncor and PEC.

There were no Electric Reliability Council of Texas-mandated rolling outages for Georgetown during this storm event. Grid information and statewide electric supply and demand can be seen in real-time at ercot.com.

Go back up ^