Accomack County faces numerous cleanup challenges after hurricanes, nor’easters, winter storms - or even a man made disaster such as a terrorist event. Storms such as Isabel and Ernesto generated a huge volume of debris in the form of fallen tree limbs in resident’s yards and a mixture of vegetation, trash, and sand pushed onto land by high tides and wave action. Even a small amount of damage to a home or outbuilding can produce a huge amount of debris to be disposed.

State and federal agencies are responsible for roads and highway clean up and repair. Accomack County is responsible for clean up of county owned property. Property owners and businesses are responsible for clean up of their properties. The County also facilitates citizen and business cleanup through the operation of its landfills, convenience centers and possible temporary debris management sites.

The volume of debris generated and extent of damage received during a disaster determines whether or not a locality will receive recovery cost reimbursement funds from FEMA. In order for the County to be reimbursed by FEMA for disaster cleanup, documentation must be maintained on where the debris originated, what type of and how much debris is being disposed of. In order to correctly document this data in the most expeditious and efficient manner, the County developed a Debris Management Plan. A debris management plan:

• Establishes a framework for proper management of debris generated by a disaster
• Facilitates prompt and efficient recovery that is cost-effective
• Allows for the tipping fees at the county landfill to be waived for up to 3 weeks after the disaster for disaster debris only
• Is needed for justification and documentation for possible FEMA reimbursement moneys 
• Is also protective of human health and the environment

When necessary, the County’s Debris Management plan is implemented by the Public Works Department. Public Works communicates to citizens through the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).

Citizens will be alerted via all available local media outlets as to when, where and how disaster related debris can be disposed of safely. The County will also let citizens know if recycling of disaster debris is possible and if so, how and where disaster debris can be taken.