Heavy machinery and dump trucks are swiftly transporting debris from Hurricane Helene to the Florida State Fairgrounds in Hillsborough County to prevent it from being scattered by the approaching Hurricane Milton. Landfills in Pinellas County are reaching capacity due to the influx of debris, as reported by a fairgrounds worker.
St. Petersburg City Administrator, Rob Gerdes, emphasized the urgency of the situation during a press conference on Tuesday, stating, 'There’s been a rush to pick up as much debris as possible before Milton hits.' Crews have been working tirelessly since Sunday to clear neighborhoods of potential projectiles, such as furniture and mattresses.
More than 300 dump trucks have been deployed to remove debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, with an impressive 1,200 truckloads, equivalent to about 22,000 cubic yards, removed in the last 24 hours from heavily impacted areas. Various agencies are collaborating with local governments under the direction of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to facilitate debris removal.
The Florida Department of Transportation disclosed that the Florida State Fairgrounds was designated as an additional site for debris disposal due to the supplemental removal efforts led by State personnel. While the exact volume of debris collected in the St. Petersburg area remains unquantified, Gerdes affirmed that every effort is being made to clear all debris from the affected areas.
