Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and even a tropical storm can leave Lowcountry homes with soaked drywall, damaged roofs, ruined carpet and fallen limbs. A roll-off dumpster on site lets you clear damage quickly and safely, which matters for preventing mold and getting repairs started. Here’s how to plan your storm cleanup.
Before you throw anything away: document it
Your insurance claim depends on proof. Before any debris goes in a dumpster:
- Photograph and video every damaged area, room by room, inside and out.
- Keep samples of damaged materials like a piece of carpet or a section of drywall, if your adjuster asks.
- List damaged belongings with approximate age and value.
- Check your policy or call your agent about what they need before removal.
Once documented, removing wet materials quickly helps limit mold growth.
When a dumpster makes sense after a storm
- Water-damaged interiors: wet drywall, insulation, carpet, padding and flooring
- Roof damage: torn shingles and underlayment from a repair or replacement
- Damaged fences, docks, decks and outbuildings
- Ruined furniture and household contents
- Contractor repair work that will run for days or weeks
County curbside pickup vs. a private dumpster
After a major declared storm, local governments sometimes run curbside debris collection with strict sorting rules (vegetation in one pile, construction debris in another, appliances separate). It’s free, but it can take weeks to reach your street. A private roll-off dumpster gets debris off your property on your timeline, which is important when wet materials are inside the house. Check Beaufort County, Jasper County or your town’s storm updates for current pickup programs.
Which size for storm cleanup?
| Damage | Suggested size |
|---|---|
| One or two flooded rooms | 15 or 20 yard |
| A whole flooded first floor | 30 yard |
| Roof replacement after wind damage | 20 or 30 yard (see our roofing guide) |
| Large property with structural damage | 30 or 40 yard, or multiple pulls |
Wet debris is heavy. Water-logged drywall and carpet can weigh several times their dry weight, so be realistic about weight, not just volume.
What can’t go in a storm cleanup dumpster
Fuel cans, propane tanks, generators with fuel, car batteries, paint and chemicals, tires and refrigerators with refrigerant all need separate disposal. See What Can’t Go in a Roll-Off Dumpster? for the full list.
Book early when a storm is coming
Demand for dumpsters jumps right after a storm. If a hurricane is in the forecast and you know you’ll have cleanup, call ahead to get on the schedule. Curry Disposal offers same-day and next-day delivery when containers are available, but after a regional storm, early callers get served first.
Local help when you need it most
We live here too, and we know what storm season means for Lowcountry families and businesses. Call (843) 247-9482 or request a storm cleanup dumpster. Serving Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort and Jasper County.