Weekend Storms Bring Broken Limbs, Free Dubuque Service You’ll Want to Use

This past weekend was a whole lot of crazy Iowa weather in a short amount of time. Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, flash floods, and tornado warnings! And if the clean-up all day we had in my hometown of Cascade on Saturday was anything to go by, then you probably have an abundance of trees, limbs, and sticks to deal with.

Where the folks in Cascade had to manage the mess themselves; in Dubuque, there’s a bit of good news tucked into your chaos and clean-up. The city has announced it will be offering free collection of storm-damaged tree limbs and branches starting Tuesday, July 15th. That’s right: no extra charges, no special calls or scheduling. Just bundle it up and set it out on your regular trash day.

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This special pick-up service runs through Monday, July 21st, and is only for limbs and branches that came down during the storms on Thursday, July 10th, and Friday, July 11th. It's a temporary offer to help folks get back to normal after the wild weather.

There are a few important guidelines to follow:

• Branches must be no more than three inches in diameter.
• Each branch bundle should be tied together with rope or twine, no longer than five feet in length, and less than 18 inches in diameter.
• Keep it under 40 pounds.
• Set it at the curb or alley line where you normally place your trash and recycling.

Make sure your bundles are out by 6 AM on your regular collection day, and the City’s yard waste crews will take it from there. Remember, if what you set out doesn’t meet the size and weight rules, it won’t be picked up.

Honestly, this is one of those services you don’t think much about until a storm knocks half your backyard down. So if you're in Dubuque, take full advantage of it. And if you’re in a nearby town that doesn’t offer something similar. Here’s hoping your neighbor has a trailer and a chainsaw.