City of Sarasota Begins Hurricane Milton Debris Removal

From: Pat Robinson <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Subject: Storm Debris Update

Now that we have activated the contractors, and they have driven the entire area, their estimate of debris that is down in the City of Sarasota is 250,000 – 400,000 cubic yards. According to staff, it will take over 12,000 truckloads to remove, each truck has approximately 21 cubic yard capacity. The County’s last estimate was over 2,000,000 cubic yards of debris in the County of Sarasota. This is a local, state and national issue. It will take time, but I assure you, we’re working on it.

Below is the press release from to Solid Waste Division:

Collection Begins for Hurricane Milton Debris

The City’s storm debris collection contractors were activated yesterday, Oct. 17, to begin residential storm debris pickup. Additional contractors, trucks and facilities will be brought online in the coming days to expedite the collection process.

To ensure timely pickup, please observe the following guidelines when preparing storm debris piles:

• Storm debris should not be put into plastic bags.
• Separate debris into 4 piles:
  1. Construction debris – fencing, carpeting, dry wall and other flood-impacted construction material
  2. White goods - appliances including refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units and water heater
  3. Bulk items – furniture and accessories, mattresses and other items affected by flood water within a home or structur
  4. Vegetative debris – downed tree branches, limbs and vegetative material including regular yard waste
• Debris piles should be 6 feet from any trees, mailboxes, utility boxes, etc. to allow space for collection equipment to maneuver
• Do not place debris piles in the street or blocking the sidewalk
• Vehicles should be parked away from debris piles
• Regular yard waste can be placed into vegetative debris piles for the duration of storm debris collection.
• Debris from Hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton does not need to be separated.

Questions can be directed to the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170.