The City of Tampa is currently engaged in a significant clean-up effort to remove debris from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Solid Waste Department is responsible for clearing approximately 1,000,000 cubic yards of debris, a substantial increase from the 175,000 cubic yards collected after Hurricane Irma in 2017. According to the City of Tampa, 32 Solid Waste trucks and 23 contracted trucks are being used to transport the debris to various drop-off stations across the city.
Tampa's Solid Waste Department has increased its payment rates to hire more haulers and boost its cleanup capacity. Since Hurricane Helene's landfall, the trucks have collected 3,750 cubic yards of debris each day, enough to cover about 18 football fields. However, the department faces competition for hauling services, making it necessary to offer higher rates to attract subcontractors, as stated by the City of Tampa.
To help residents track the progress, the city has created a map showing the storm debris collection. This map is updated daily and shows areas where crews have finished and where they will go next. Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the scope of the task and the city's commitment, saying, "removing storm debris from our entire city takes time," in a statement obtained by the City of Tampa. She reassured residents that the city is "stretching our current resources and working through the challenges in order to clean up our communities as quickly as they deserve."
Tampa aims to clear the waste within 90 days. To help speed up the process, the city’s two authorized debris collection contractors are looking for subcontractors, with interested companies encouraged to contact Ashbritt or Phillips and Jordan Environmental as listed on City of Tampa official website. Residents wanting faster debris removal can use the McKay Bay Transfer Station, but privately hired companies will incur a charge of $95 per ton. The city is providing ongoing updates about the cleanup efforts through official channels to ensure efficiency and public awareness during the recovery.
