The city of Lakeland took a hard hit from Hurricane Irma and even a month later, the city is still working to clean up debris. 

  • Hurricane debris removal continues across Bay area
  • Rules may vary by county - see below
  • Large tree limbs, branches and brush remain piled up on sidewalks
  • Bay area county officials say contractors still out picking up

Crews are still in the Cleveland Heights area removing debris and officials are asking residents to be patient as removal continues. To date 2,600 loads totaling 100,000 cubic yards of storm related debris has been removed from the public right of way in Lakeland.

There will be additional road closures in the area today as crews remove debris in major throughfares. 

FEMA contractors will be in the area removing debrisin Cleveland Heights, on Edgewood Avenue and New Jersey. 

"We're closing the road because these are big FEMA contractors that we have out on the road," said Kevin Cook with the city of Lakeland. "They're big apparatus, big trucks with claws and you have to close the road in order to move those claws around and get the debris off the right of way." 

Lakeland rolling roadblock schedule

Day Time Street
Monday 10/16 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cleveland Heights Boulevard (Southbound lanes)
Tuesday 10/17 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cleveland Heights Boulevard (Northbound lanes)
Wednesday 10/18 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. New Jersey (Southbound lane)
Thursday 10/19 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Edgewood Drive (East then Westbound lanes)
Friday 10/20 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. New Jersey (Northbound lane)


Meanwhile, Hillsborough County officials continue their efforts to pick up debris along 4,400 miles of roadway. The goal is to have all of the debris removed by mid-November. 

The county has announced guidelines to aid in getting all of the debris picked up quickly and efficiently. 

Bags, containers and bundles will be picked up sooner than loose piles and large limbs should be stacked neatly. 

Up to 2 cubic yards of debris will be collected by regular service. Residents also can drop off debris at one of the three regular yard waste collection sites. 

Also, residents are being reminded to place debris on the curb, not on sidewalks or in roadways. 

County officials say they have been in contact with homeowners associations in the area by working with residents to allow the to take proper steps to get debris removed. 

Also, open burning is prohibited in Hillsborough County without a permit from the Fire Marshal's Office. 

Outside Hillsborough County

In Clearwater, crews have been working 10-hour shifts to remove debris.

Crews started collecting yard waste/hurricane debris in the northern-most area of Clearwater around Curlew Road and are working their way south.

Once Clearwater Beach has been cleared of yard, storm and hurricane debris, then the debris removal contractor’s crews will push eastward. Clearing will continue from west to east until all of Clearwater has been cleared one time.

Meanwhile in Pinellas County, officials say pick up from different zones will continue throughout the county from private haulers. 

In Pasco County, residents are asked to either bring yard debris to two solid waste facilities or register for pickup. 

Citrus County officials said pickup started last week in Floral City and will work counter-clockwise through the county for the next four to six weeks. 

County-by-county debris removal: 

HILLSBOROUGH

Yard debris can still be taken to the county's three permanent collection sites. Disposal is free with valid Florida's driver's license.

  • Falkenburg Road: 346 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa
  • Northwest County: 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave, Tampa
  • South County: 13000 U.S. Highway 41, Gibsonton

CITY of TAMPA:

PINELLAS COUNTY
 
ST. PETERSBURG
 
 
CLEARWATER
 
LARGO 

The City of Largo said 12 crews of both city employees and contractors continue their hard work six days a week and are removing a staggering 3,000 yards of debris per day.

Generally, areas north of East Bay Drive, east of Clearwater/Largo Road and areas north of 8th Avenue SW between Ridge Rd and Seminole Blvd have already been serviced while crews are still in the following areas:

  • East of Keene Rd, South of East Bay Dr
  • East of US #19, south of East Bay Dr
  • West of Clearwater/Largo Rd, South of Mehlenbacher Rd towards West Bay Dr
  • North of Walsingham Rd (which appears to be the hardest hit area of the City)
  • West of Seminole Blvd between 8th Avenue SW and West Bay Dr

As debris is being collected it is taken to the Debris Removal Center in Largo off of Donegan Rd where it is processed and chipped.

Any residents with property located on County or State roads will have their debris collected by Pinellas County. This includes but is not limited to Keene Rd, Belcher Ave, East Bay Dr, U.S. 19, etc. For information regarding collection on these routes please contact Pinellas County at (727)464-7500.

 
PASCO COUNTY

Residents can also call customer service at (727) 847-2411

The county is also waiving all fees for debris dropped off to the following landfills:

  • Spring Hill: 14606 Hays Road
  • Dade City: 9626 Handcart Road
  • Debris pickup
 
MANATEE COUNTY
 
 
POLK COUNTY 
 
 
HERNANDO COUNTY
 
CITRUS COUNTY