PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas Public Works completed its first round of debris collection for unincorporated Pinellas on Monday.
Now, the second pass is underway.
To date, contractors have hauled more than 54,000 cubic yards of debris from unincorporated Pinellas. That's enough to fill more than 160 Olympic swimming pools.
Pinellas County Debris Manager Sean Tipton said, "It's a sense of partial completion. We still have some work to do."
Pinellas Public Words said the second pass is expected to yield a small fraction of what was hauled the first time around.
Tipton explained, "This process is expected to be a bit slower and more methodical than what we did the first pass. This round, they're picking up all storm-eligible debris, per FEMA guidelines, then sweeping up behind them."
To keep the process moving as quickly as possible, the county is reminding everyone to separate their piles into vegetative debris, construction debris, and household items. Moreover, they will not be picking up debris inside bags of any kind because they must be able to see what's inside.
Pinellas County said their process is a bit slower than nearby cities, due to the fragmented geography of unincorporated Pinellas.
Kelli Levy, the director of Pinellas Public Works said, "We have small enclaves of unincorporated within every city pretty much. If you have a long-distance haul, it takes a lot longer. If we're hauling debris from unincorporated Clearwater to the sod farm at the landfill, that right there could be an hour turnaround time."
Levy said crews are working every day to clear debris, and they remain on track to be complete by the end of the year. She explained many of the haulers are from out of state and have spent several weeks away from their families in order to help out here.
"Fingers crossed we can get it done before Christmas, but please be patient," Levy said. "And when you see those workers out there, say hi and say thank you."
Pinellas Public Works said they're being careful to complete this work according to FEMA's guidelines so they can be fully reimbursed. Right now, the county estimates their undertaking of debris pickup has cost $35 million.