Flood debris pick-up start is subject to City of Uvalde receivin temporary permit approval for additional landfill space use.
By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
08/03/26
Uvalde County Commissioners voted to approve the county take action to pick up flood and storm debris from residents with property in Uvalde County.
Uvalde County Commissioner John Yeackle said, “I spoke with Joe Cardenas at the City this morning. Several of the commissioners I think, have talked with the City over time at the landfill and been out a part of the City making an offer of access to some additional acreage that was currently unpermitted; there’s a temporary permit application underway to make available for our use for the debris to be taken from the County out to their Landfill followed up on that. They are anticipating getting the greenlight between today and Wednesday for that acreage has been cleared by the County on our behalf out there by county employees.”
Yeackle also stated county residents should pile the debris on the easement outside the fenceline. Also, the debris must be sorted into the following 3 categories: appliances; bush; and construction materials. He suggested the county road department would be the contact for affected county residents for debris pick-up arrangements.
According to Diana Olvedo-Karau, a citizen who attended the meeting, said, “The primary change from today’s is that the road and bridge department employees will be picking up the trash instead of their original idea which was to contract a third-party.”
Uvalde County Emergency Response Coordinator Forrest Anderson reported to the court that Federal Office of Emergency Management (FEMA) dollars might be available to reimburse the county for flood debris removal and other fees but he stated FEMA requires specific reporting on where the debris was picked up and must be sorted accordingly.
Yeackle went on to say that the county would be obligated to pay the City for use of the new landfill site but those fees would not be due right away.
A resident of the Deer Valley subdivision spoke to County Commissioners urging immediate action on its assistance with food debris removal.
“The place we used to call home is now just a pile of rubbish so that is why I’m here today and hope we get the assistance we need and remove the debris,” she said.
We cannot justify having to spend thousands of dollars just to remove it from our property when we have to rebuild from scratch. We have to replace appliances, furniture, loss, vehicle loss, clothing, and not to mention I have a baby due in two months so it’s hard enough having to start from scratch and without your help with the huge burden.
She concluded saying, “It’s crucial that we have the debris removed so we can begin the rebuilding process. So whatever it is that you’ll have to do I ask ya’ll to please do it.”
Yeackle said the County’s debris pick-up start time is contingent upon the City’s temporary permit application’s approval
