Pinellas Public Works has begun the second phase of debris collection in unincorporated areas of the county, following the completion of the first round. So far, contractors have removed over 54,000 cubic yards of debris—equivalent to filling more than 160 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Debris Manager Sean Tipton remarked, “It’s a sense of partial completion. We still have some work to do.”

What to Expect in the Second Pass

The second round of debris pickup is anticipated to collect significantly less material than the initial phase. According to Tipton, this stage will be more methodical:

• Crews will collect all storm-eligible debris as defined by FEMA guidelines.
• After collection, teams will “sweep up” remaining smaller debris.

To streamline the process, residents are reminded to:

• Separate piles into vegetative debris, construction debris, and household items.
• Avoid placing debris in bags, as crews must visibly inspect the contents.

Challenges of Unincorporated Collection

The fragmented nature of unincorporated Pinellas County makes the process slower than in nearby municipalities.

“We have small enclaves of unincorporated areas within nearly every city,” explained Kelli Levy, Director of Pinellas Public Works. “If we’re hauling debris from unincorporated Clearwater to the landfill’s sod farm, it can take up to an hour for a single round trip.”

Despite these logistical hurdles, Levy assured residents that crews are working daily to meet their goal of completing debris collection by the end of the year.

Acknowledging the Effort

Many of the haulers assisting in Pinellas are from out of state and have spent weeks away from their families to help the community recover. Levy encouraged residents to show appreciation: “Fingers crossed we can get it done before Christmas, but please be patient. And when you see those workers out there, say hi and say thank you.”

Cost and Compliance

The county estimates the cleanup effort has cost approximately $35 million so far. Pinellas Public Works is adhering strictly to FEMA debris collection guidelines to ensure full reimbursement for the work.

Crews remain committed to restoring unincorporated Pinellas as efficiently as possible while navigating the unique challenges of the county’s geography.

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(Image credit: St. Pete-Clearwater Sun)