St. Pete debris removal is around 40% complete
October 20, 2022 - Surrounded by mounds of mulched trees and branches during a Wednesday press conference at Maximo Park, St. Petersburg city officials said storm debris removal is about 40% complete. Workers have collected 40,000 cubic yards of vegetation since Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28, and Mayor Ken Welch said cleanup should last another three weeks. The collection began with coastal areas in south, west and northeast St. Petersburg, and workers are gradually moving to the center of the city. Mike Jefferis, leisure service administrator, and his team are tracking the removal process as the Federal Emergency Management Agency will fully reimburse the city for its efforts.