Storm debris collection begins – for some
Pinellas County officials announced Wednesday that Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed 364 businesses, with an initial damage assessment nearing $50 million. The residential total has topped $2 billion.
With widespread destruction comes an almost unimaginable amount of storm-related debris. While county collection began in some unincorporated areas Wednesday morning, municipal residents face a much longer wait.
The Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex at 3095 114th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg cannot accept storm-related debris from residents or commercial haulers. Kelli Levy, public works director, said that is due to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations.
“In order to remain eligible for reimbursement through FEMA, we can only accept debris from the unincorporated area,” Levy said. “Commercial haulers were hauling from – we have no idea where and coming there.”
Unincorporated residents can bring storm-related trash to a county facility at 13600 Icot Boulevard between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. It is not open to commercial haulers.
Private removal companies can bring construction and demolition debris to GFL Environmental at 1755 20th Ave. SE in Largo; Sarnago & Sons at 1741 N. Keene Rd. in Clearwater; and Waste Management at 12950 40th St. in Clearwater. A dedicated county website highlights collection efforts and pertinent information.
“We do understand that commercial debris is a challenge,” Levy said. “There’s a team working on evaluating what our options are.”
Pinellas debris removal crews have launched a “first pass” in Crystal Beach, Ozona, Indian Bluff Harbor, West Palm Harbor, unincorporated Seminole and West Lealman. “I really want to reinforce that we are focusing on areas that were hit the most by flooding,” Levy said.
A graphic highlighting the proper way to separate storm debris. Image: FEMA.
Incorporated beach communities slowly emerging from several feet of sand and water will conduct separate collection efforts. Administrator Barry Burton expressed concern over the timing Tuesday.
He said the county would send a FEMA consultant to the barrier islands to help activate collection contracts and manage available resources. “So, whatever the municipalities need, they’ll get,” Burton added.
The City of St. Petersburg has not provided emergency briefings this week. In a recorded video message Tuesday, a spokesperson said debris collection efforts would begin Oct. 7 and “could take months.”
However, city brush sites will accept vegetative debris from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Locations include 1000 62nd Ave. NE; 7750 26th Ave. N; 2500 26th Ave. S; 4015 Dr. Martin Luther King St. S; and 2453 20th Ave. N.
Crews will conduct multiple collection sweeps for unbagged curbside debris. Residents should document all damage for FEMA reimbursement.
According to the latest announcement, residents should place bagged vegetative debris in their city-issued trash bin with the lid closed or drop it off at a brush site “for the quickest collection.”
County and city officials urge all residents to separate curbside debris into item groups. Levy explained Wednesday that electronics could go into receptacles, while flooded furniture and drywall should sit in one heap away from structures that impede removal.
“If you have taken all of the debris and dumped it in one big pile, unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to take it,” Levy said. “We have FEMA monitors who are required to follow these contractors and make sure every pile is truly storm-related debris before we can take it.”
Local officials have suggested calling this nonprofit for hurricane cleanup assistance. Image: Pinellas County Government.
Additional storm updates:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday afternoon that Hurricane Helene’s local death toll increased to 12. Three deaths occurred in Indian Rocks Beach, two in St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, and St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Madeira Beach and Dunedin each recorded one storm-related fatality.
Pinellas officials said Wednesday that utility crews from St. Petersburg and the state joined over 100 county employees to repair critical infrastructure in St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde. Workers have restored 120 sewage pump stations, while 25 remain offline.
A FEMA Disaster Recover Center opened Wednesday afternoon at the Largo Public Library. Staff will help residents impacted by Hurricane Helene or Debby apply for federal assistance. The facility is at 120 Central Park Dr.
The Department of Children and Families opened a Family Resource Center at the BridgePoint Church Tyrone. The facility at 6690 Crosswinds Dr. will provide diapers, baby wipes, food, water and additional resource information.
Cathie Perkins, emergency management director, urged residents to report damages to the county. She said a comprehensive assessment is vital to qualify for federal aid.
For more countywide storm-related information, visit the website here.
RITA SEWELL
October 2, 2024at6:47 pm
So can somebody tell us where this massive amount of soaked nasty disgusting household items are going to go? I doubt very seriously if the Pinellas County waste management can handle this volume. Is there a county in the middle of the state that has signed an agreement to become the recipient of all of our nasty disgusting destroyed home items? Inquiring minds want to know.