St Pete completes initial pass of citywide debris collection

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City has undertaken extensive debris removal operations. As of Dec. 9, approximately 1,844,137 cubic yards of vegetative and construction debris had been collected by city and contracted haulers. Mayor Ken Welch predicted this number would surpass 2 million cubic yards.

This volume is more than the debris collected from Hurricanes Idalia, Ian, and Irma combined. One acre filled with debris to a height of 10 feet equates to about 16,133 cubic yards, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The debris collected in St. Petersburg would cover approximately 114 acres to the same depth.  

The city’s debris management strategy included the establishment of a Temporary Debris Management Site at 1953 72nd St. N., which will cease public operations Dec. 22. Until then, residents can drop off vegetative, construction and demolition debris at no charge between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Starting Dec. 23, all city brush sites will resume normal operations, and the city will begin accepting requests for special pickups. The City also mobilized contracted haulers, which are operating seven days a week to expedite the cleanup.

The initial citywide debris collection pass has been completed, with two additional sweeps planned. The mayor said the cleanup will likely be completed before the targeted end date of Jan. 11. .

Residents are advised to place remaining debris at the curb, sorted into categories: Vegetative debris, fencing materials, electronics, appliances and construction materials. Debris should not obstruct alleyways, sidewalks or streets, and should be kept clear of structures that could hinder removal efforts. Detailed guidelines and consent forms for those employing private contractors are available on the city’s website.

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September, was a Category 4 storm that caused extensive damage across the southeastern United States, resulting in over 200 fatalities and significant property destruction. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, struck Florida’s west coast, exacerbating the devastation. Combined, these hurricanes contributed to insured losses exceeding $50 billion in the U.S., with Florida bearing a substantial portion of the impact.