Live updates: Biden visits Tampa as Milton recovery efforts pick up

We’re into Day 4 of our recovery from Hurricane Milton.

For some of us, that means we still don’t have power. Or gas. We still might be trying to get home.

President Joe Biden is expected to visit and address the aftermath later today, touring storm-damaged areas in Tampa, St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.

Here what to look out for today.

9:40: Here’s where trash pickup stands in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco

Several Tampa Bay governments have resumed curbside waste pickup as they work to clear the region of the debris of two hurricanes.

The primary caveat is that the trucks must be able to access the roadways, some of which remain underwater. Officials asked for patience as service might be delayed.

Hillsborough County started up residential trash, recycling and yard waste collection on Friday. The county noted that items that meet normal yard waste requirements will have a better chance of being removed than larger tree debris, which might require support from contracted haulers.

Pinellas County collection is managed by individual municipalities. A handful have begun the process, including Belleair Beach and Redington Beach, while others have yet to provide updated information, according to the county.

Pasco County reported that pickup is ongoing, barring local disruptions such as flooding.

Landfills are accepting debris from residents, as well.

Pinellas County has reopened residential storm debris dropoff sites for unincorporated areas following Hurricane Milton. The sites are at 13600 Icot Blvd. in Clearwater, and at the corner of Keystone Road and East Lake Road in East Lake.

All Hillsborough Solid Waste Community Collection Centers will be open for from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. The locations are: Northwest, 8001 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa; Hillsborough Heights, 6209 County Road 579, Seffner; and South County, 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton.

Pasco County’s two sites accepting storm debris are the East Pasco Transfer Station, 9626 Handcart Road, Dade City; and West Pasco Resource Recovery, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill.

— Jeffrey S. Solochek

9:30 a.m.: Another storm brewing in the Atlantic

The National Hurricane Center offered some relief to storm weary Floridians early Sunday.

”For the first time in several weeks, there are no active TCs in the NATL basin,” the center posted on X, referring to tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic.

“However,” the agency continued, “we are watching AL94,” which it gave a 30% change of development. Check out center’s seven-day outlook for the latest.

— Jeffrey S. Solochek

9:20 a.m.: More fuel stations opening up

As Tampa Bay tries to revive after Hurricane Milton, one question that keeps popping up in online chats is. Where’s the gas?

Please post real-time updates, residents write, as the situation is fast changing.

Many service stations have received deliveries, and there are often long lines waiting. Some, including RaceTrac, have interactive trackers to find which stations have gas, while others such as Wawa have taken their locators down as all sites are operating.

To support drivers seeking to fuel up, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is opening distribution sites from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today in the region. Gas is available at St. Petersburg College’s Tarpon Springs campus, 600 E Klosterman Road; and East Bay Raceway in Tampa, 6311 Burts Road.

These are in addition to sites opened earlier, which include Tom Bennett Park, 280 Kay Road in Bradenton; Plant City Stadium, 1810 S Park Road in Plant City; and Central Lot Parking Lot, 800 1st Ave S in St. Petersburg.

Cars are limited to 10 gallons each.

— Jeffrey S. Solochek

9 a.m.: Biden to visit storm-damaged Pinellas

President Joe Biden is headed to Tampa Bay today to view damage from Hurricane Milton. This morning, Biden will fly to MacDill Air Force Base, joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. From there, he’ll take an aerial tour of affected areas as he heads toward St. Petersburg.

In St. Pete Beach, Biden will receive a briefing from federal, state and local officials and then will great first responders and residents. He is also set to deliver remarks on the hurricane, and will leave Tampa Bay in the afternoon.

— Romy Ellenbogen

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