TAMPA, Fla.—Debris removal efforts after Hurricanes Helene and Milton came to an end in Tampa on Dec. 20, as recovery efforts continued across the Bay area.
The city of Tampa announced the deadline earlier this week, stating, “To ensure the FEMA reimbursement eligibility, all reported storm debris must be assessed and approved by December 20, 2024.”
As of Dec. 20, 1.3 million cubic yards of debris have been collected just in the city limits alone, with nearly all of the rounds completed by the first week of December.
“All green, but no Grinches here,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor posted on X on Dec. 6. ”Thanks to our hardworking Solid Waste team and contractors, our debris collection is ahead of schedule, and the final pass will be completed just in time for Christmas.”
Meanwhile, across the bay, the city of St. Petersburg announced it would be closing its temporary debris sites a few days later.
“The City’s Temporary Debris Management Site (Raytheon), located at 1953 72nd St. N, will cease public operations on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m.,” the city stated on Dec. 19. ”Until then, residents can drop off storm-related vegetative, construction, and demolition debris at the site at no charge. “
St. Pete has nearly doubled the amount of debris collected by Tampa, logging 2.06 million cubic yards of vegetative, construction, and demolition debris that was amassed in the “muck and gut” process of cleaning out houses after Helene’s record storm surge.
Clearwater also announced the conclusion of its debris removal efforts, announcing on Dec. 11 that a second and final pass to pick up construction and demolition debris on the barrier islands was underway.
The progress update followed President Joe Biden’s approval of 100 percent reimbursement for debris removal projects across the state on Oct. 12 after Hurricane Milton. That reimbursement was good for 90 days.
“That was very generous and local governments utilize that,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Oct. 12. “Let’s get this debris moving.”
“That is not the norm in these storms, to be able to get 100 percent debris reimbursement for 90 days,” the governor said. “So take advantage.”
That day, DeSantis and Kevin Guthrie, executive director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, waived all statutes pertaining to debris removal.
“I can direct, permit debris management sites, hours on trucking, driver hours, waived lengths and measures, weights, and measures,” Guthrie said on Oct. 12. “It’s a full-court press; 24/7, the next 90 days, let’s go get it and get after it.”
