St. Petersburg Completes Final Storm Debris Sweep

News Summary

St. Petersburg has successfully completed its final residential storm debris sweep, collecting an astounding 2.1 million cubic yards of debris. This monumental effort followed the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with crews having already made over 37,000 loads. Residents who missed scheduled pickups can request special assistance through the city’s services, ensuring a clean community as the city moves towards recovery.

St. Petersburg Wraps Up Its Final Storm Debris Sweep

In a big win for the residents, the city of St. Petersburg has officially completed its final residential storm debris sweep, and it’s quite a sight! The city proudly announced that a whopping 2.1 million cubic yards of debris was collected following the turbulent impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. To put it into perspective, that’s enough debris to fill 635 Olympic-sized swimming pools! Can you believe it?

Ongoing Inspections and Special Assistance

While we’re all sighing in relief that the bulk of the cleanup is over, city crews aren’t quite done just yet. They’re currently on a mission to inspect all coverage zones to ensure that no sneaky bits of debris are left lying around. Plus, a few trucks will still be dedicated to helping out with special cases of debris collection. So if you missed out on the scheduled pickup, don’t panic! Residents are encouraged to call (727) 893-7441 to request service for missed debris, or they can simply snap a photo and use the handy SeeClickFix app for a speedy solution.

A Community Hard at Work

Since the storms rolled through, city crews have been working diligently, already hauling more than 37,000 loads of debris as part of this monumental cleanup effort. Residents were previously reminded to have any remaining debris placed in the city’s right of way by January 3, and instructions were shared on how to sort debris correctly. Good organization goes a long way!

Residents were advised to sort their storm debris into different categories:

• Vegetative debris: Branches, leaves, logs, and plants.
• Fencing materials: Anything that might have been knocked over during the storm.
• Electronics: Old computers, televisions, and other electronic devices.
• Appliances: MacGyver might be able to fix your broken air conditioners, dishwashers, washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, and water heaters—but you’re better off letting the city deal with it.
• Construction materials: This includes anything from carpet and drywall to furniture, lumber, and plumbing supplies.

Remember, leaving debris in the street, on sidewalks, or in alleyways is a no-go, and using trash bags isn’t allowed either.

For residents who end up with debris that isn’t eligible for collection, don’t fret! You’ll be notified with door hangers or letters letting you know the next steps to take.

Massive Cleanup Effort in Action

Over 60 city trucks and more than 60 contracted debris haulers have been working tirelessly, seven days a week, to tackle the monumental cleanup effort. The goal is to tidy things up within FEMA’s 90-day reimbursement deadline, ensuring St. Petersburg gets the support it needs during this recovery phase.

It’s also worth noting that this sweeping effort only targets residential properties, so businesses and apartment complexes should reach out to their property managers for assistance. If you have any vegetative debris lingering, you can still drop it off at one of the city’s five brush sites, open seven days a week, to do your part in keeping the city clean.

Proper Disposal of Electronics and Continued Service

For those with electronics affected by water, especially those with lithium-ion or small rechargeable batteries, the safest route is to head over to the Pinellas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 2855 109th Ave. N.

And let’s not forget, normal trash and recycling pickups are continuing on their regular schedule, so no need to worry about those daily routines during this busy period.

With this monumental cleanup completed, St. Petersburg is certainly on the path to recovery. So let’s all pitch in, stay organized, and help keep our beautiful city shining bright!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

St. Petersburg Receives Major Hurricane Recovery Funding
Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida: A Tale of Wind and Resilience
Pinellas County School Holiday Schedule Updates
St. Pete Beach Schools Unite for Community Recovery
St. Petersburg Faces the Aftermath: Resilience Plans in Motion After Hurricanes
USF St. Petersburg Celebrates Graduates and New Developments
Spreading Holiday Cheer: St. Petersburg School Community Comes Together
Holidays Bring Schedule Changes for St. Petersburg Schools
St. Petersburg Prepares for Final Storm Debris Cleanup
Pinellas County Faces Long Road to Recovery After Hurricanes

Additional Resources

• St. Pete Catalyst
• AOL News
• Fox 13 News
• Google Search: St. Petersburg debris collection
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane cleanup