In the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes, the City of Tampa has been left dealing with widespread destruction and an overwhelming amount of debris. Hurricanes Helene and Milton left unprecedented damage, and the Solid Waste Department was quick to respond. With an ambitious plan in place, they’ve set high goals to handle the monumental task of clearing residential and storm debris.
To meet the challenge, the department has increased its payment rates, hired additional haulers, and expanded their overall capacity. The sheer volume of debris has been astounding, and it’s taking a massive coordinated effort to restore the city.
An Army of Trucks and Teams Clearing 18 Football Fields of Debris Daily
Currently, 32 Solid Waste trucks and 23 contracted haulers are working non-stop across the city to remove the storm debris. These trucks are collecting an average of 3,750 cubic yards of debris each day, which is roughly the size of 18 football fields. The total amount of debris from both hurricanes is estimated to reach a staggering 1,000,000 cubic yards, which would cover 10,000 football fields!
For comparison, Hurricane Irma in 2017 left behind 175,000 cubic yards of debris, making this cleanup operation one of the largest in the city’s history.
Helping Neighborhoods Recover Quickly
To keep residents informed, the City of Tampa has released a storm debris collection map that outlines which areas have been completed and where the next collections will take place. The map is updated daily to ensure transparency and allow citizens to track progress in their neighborhoods.
Haulers are also transporting debris to five drop-off stations around the city. These stations help reduce the distance debris has to travel to the McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy Plant, where all storm debris is processed and burned to generate energy. This approach ensures that speed and efficiency remain top priorities.
Despite facing regional competition for hauling services and dealing with higher rates, the City of Tampa aims to finish the cleanup within 90 days, working tirelessly to restore neighborhoods to their pre-storm conditions.
Mayor Castor Urges Patience During the Clean-Up
While the city is working hard to meet its deadlines, the process isn’t without its challenges. Mayor Jane Castor has acknowledged the frustrations of residents but assures them that every effort is being made to clean up the community as quickly as possible.
“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,” said Mayor Castor. “We want residents to remain assured that 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.”
How Residents Can Help Speed Up Debris Removal
In addition to the efforts of city-contracted haulers, residents who are eager to speed up the debris removal process have options. The McKay Bay Transfer Station, located at 114 S 34th Street, is accepting storm debris free of charge for local residents. However, privately-hired contractors will be charged $95 per ton.
Additionally, the City’s two authorized debris collection contractors, Ashbritt and Phillips and Jordan Environmental, are actively hiring subcontractors to assist with the ongoing efforts. Interested parties can reach out to lcosta@ashbritt.com or bsmallwood@pandjenv.com.
A key reminder for residents: do not bag your storm debris. Instead, leave it in a pile near the roadway to ensure it can be easily collected by cleanup crews.
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