City of Tampa works to remove storm debris within 90 days

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa’s Solid Waste Department is working against the clock as back-to-back hurricanes have left unprecedented amounts of debris across the city.

The goal? To collect an estimated 1 million cubic yards of debris within 90 days. To give perspective, that’s about 10,000 football fields of debris.

“Cabinets, wood floors, everything,” said Ron Krueger, Culbreath Bayou resident. “We had a good foot of water in the house, so it pretty much impacted everything and this is the second time the second pile we already had a pile earlier this morning that was taken away.”

Krueger lives off West Shore Boulevard in the Culbreath Bayou neighborhood. He’s chipping in to help crews haul out his storm debris.

“We need to all chip in and do our best to make it as easy as possible, that’s why I’ve been out here helping as much as possible,” said Krueger.

Tampa’s Solid Waste Department has 32 tucks and 23 contracted trucks collecting the storm debris from Helene and Milton.

“FEMA has given us 90 days as they do in any storm to remove the storm debris,” said Mayor Jane Castor.

Mayor Castor said FEMA will cover 100% of the debris collection costs if the City is able to haul it all out within those 90 days. The city is doing everything possible to meet that goal, including increasing hourly rates to hire more haulers.

“We are first and foremost designating the household waste,” said the mayor. “We will get the vegetation and yard debris that will be picked up second.”

Residents also have the option of taking their debris to the McKay Bay transfer station, located at 114 S 34th Street, at no charge. Residents who prefer to wait for city crews can monitor this city website showing where debris pickup is underway and where crews will be headed next.

Residents are reminded to not bag storm debris and instead leave it in a pile outside next to the roadway.

Hillsborough County is also working against the clock and trying to remove its debris within 90 days.

Residents can also drop off their storm debris at five sites:

• Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility - 6209 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 (temporary entrance on Taylor Road)
• Resource Recovery Facility – 350 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619
• Northwest County Solid Waste Facility - 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33625
• South County Solid Waste Facility - 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
• Southeast County Landfill – 15960 County Road 672 Lithia, FL 33547

To drop off at these sites, you must show your ID proving you are a Hillsborough County resident.

Pinellas County resumed collection of residential storm debris from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the unincorporated areas of the county on Monday, Oct. 14. Vegetative debris may be picked up at a different time than construction debris and household appliances. Storm debris in bags or not separated will not be picked up.

The County estimates there are approximately 1 million cubic yards of residential debris just in the unincorporated areas. If you live in a municipality, contact your city or town about the availability of storm debris pickup.

Pinellas County said contractors have picked up more than 1,070 loads of storm debris to date. The residential storm debris drop-off site at the corner of Keystone Road and East Lake Road in East Lake will close to the public at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The site will be converted for contractor use on Monday, Oct. 21, to expedite the County storm debris pickup process.

Pinellas County said the residential storm debris drop-off site at 13600 Icot Boulevard in Clearwater will remain open, and its hours will expand to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting on Monday.

The City of St. Petersburg shared this message:

“We anticipate that citywide debris collection following Hurricanes Helene and Milton may take up to 90 days. The city will continue working with local, state, and federal partners to ensure debris is collected as quickly as possible.”

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