TAMPA, Fla. — City of Tampa officials are giving new insight on debris pickup following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the focus on storm recovery for the city now is debris collection. She explained that fuel supply at gas stations is back to normal levels and that 90% of electricity in the city is restored.
Castor gave a comparison of debris pickup from Hurricane Irma to pickup from Helene and Milton. Crews collected a reported 175,000 cubic yards, or 15,000 dump truck loads, of storm and household debris during Irma recovery.
"Sounds like a lot," Castor said. "That pales in comparison to the debris from Helene and Milton."
For Helene and Milton, Castor said there have been 1 million cubic yards, or 10,000 football fields, of debris collected so far.
Officials with the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Management also report that they've processed 292 tons of debris between both hurricanes.
Tampa had 90 days to remove the debris around the city, per policy by FEMA. Additionally, President Joe Biden approved allowing the city to be 100% reimbursed for debris pickup efforts, compared to FEMA's usual reimbursement of 75%.
Director of Solid Waste Larry Washington said those who want to dispose of debris themselves can do it at the following locations:
- 7801 N 22nds Street (vegetative debris only)
- Gadsden Park, 6901 S MacDill Avenue (vegetative debris only)
- McKay Bay Transfer Station, 114 S 34th Street
Tampa residents can bring their debris to any of these locations free of charge.
City leaders once again reminded residents to separate vegetative debris from household debris.
“Just like it takes, on average, homeowners about three weeks to remove all the debris from their flooded homes, removing storm debris from our entire city takes time,” Mayor Castor said in a statement. “We want residents to remain assured we are stretching our current resources and working through the challenges in order to clean up our communities as quickly as they deserve. Though patience is wearing thin and everyone wants the debris out of sight, we will get through this soon.”