Frustration is growing over piles of debris from Hurricane Irma that have yet to be removed.
- TVs, furniture sets slowing down the cleanup process
- Debris piles growing along with frustration
- County hopes to have everything cleaned up mid-November
In some places, the debris piles have turned into a dumping ground for anyone looking to get rid of something.
Folks are using the piles to put out things like television, mattresses furniture sets and other household items. Officials say all that junk is slowing down the cleanup process.
Pasco County Solid Waste Director John Power said his crews have been picking up what they can. But the extra junk is taking up time and resources when there's a lot of debris still to pick up.
"We're getting bedroom sets. We’re getting couches," Power said. "The thing is, if the house was impacted, we would of course pick up those materials. But we get to some of these sites and there’s typically no damage. It's just people wanting to get rid of something," Power said.
Pasco County did get out to a slower start with the cleanup process due to a contractor dispute but the county is catching up.
Crews have collected an estimated 100,000 cubic yards of debris. They say there's at least 50,000 still to go.
"I do ask people to extend their patience. Because we will get to them. I feel their pain," Power said.
He said he hopes to have the rest cleaned up by mid-November.
If residents are putting out any junk at the curb, code enforcement may get involved if it's not picked up soon and it's too excessive.