ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg announced it is preparing for Tropical Storm Milton, which is projected to be a major hurricane by the time it reaches Florida's west coast by mid-next week.
Storm impacts within the Tampa Bay area are expected to begin as early as Tuesday evening, Oct. 8, city leaders stated in a news release.
As of Saturday night, the city has activated emergency sandbag operations, stormwater operations, street sweeping, and debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene.
Here is what St. Pete residents should know ahead of Milton's landfall:
Sandbag Operations
Full-service and self-service sandbag operations will open Sunday, Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to prepare for next week's impacts from Milton. Leaders noted they won't be able to operate full-services sites in rain, thunderstorms, or lightning. In addition, sites may close depending on the weather outlook.
Self-service locations:
- Dell Homes Park - 2741 22nd St. S
- Fossil Park Northern Most Parking Lot - 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N
- N Walter Fuller Soccer Field Parking Lot - 2800 75th St. N
Full-service locations:
- Lake Maggiore Park Shelter Area - 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S
- Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot - 955 62nd Ave. Ne
- Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot Park - 2331 60th St. N
Debris Cleanup
St. Pete officials say they have secured more contractors that will be working 24/7 to clear as much storm debris as possible ahead of Milton's landfall.
"This is a top priority, St. Pete," officials stated.
For those who want to take care of the debris themselves, follow these steps:
- All storm debris must be separated
- Take all vegetative debris to one of these city brush sites:
- 1000 62nd Ave. NE
- 7750 26th Ave. N
- 2500 26th Ave. S
- 4015 Dr. Martin Luther King St. S
- 2453 20th Ave. N
- Hire a private hauler. To see where these haulers can dump your debris, click here.
- Secure your debris by covering it with tarps or straps and tie it down if possible
For more information on preparing for Milton in St. Petersburg, click here.
