Shore Acres residents blast St. Pete debris removal efforts: ‘This is ridiculous’

Shore Acres storm debris frustration

Patience is running thin in Shore Acres because debris still lines the streets weeks after the area was hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Matthew McClellan reports.

SHORE ACRES, Fla. - The city of Saint Petersburg touted a "significant milestone" on Monday, reporting that crews had collected more than 100,000 cubic yards of debris following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But residents in the flood-prone Shore Acres neighborhood are expressing frustration and doubt about the process.

During a Shore Acres Civic Association meeting Monday evening, President Kevin Batdorf told FOX 13 News, "In my opinion, I believe the city should be more prepared than they are, especially for an event like (Helene or Milton). This is ridiculous."

As in many areas across the region, large piles of damaged furniture and other household items line the streets of Shore Acres.

Batdorf cited the amount of time that had passed since Hurricane Helene battered his neighborhood in late September.

PREVIOUS: Homes in Shore Acres destroyed by Hurricane Helene, flood-prone neighborhood getting first look at damage

"There were issues, some severe issues, like (city leaders) weren't communicating well with the county," he said. "The dump was closed. They didn't have an alternative site to dump debris."

Debris lines the streets of Shore Acres nearly two weeks after Hurricane Milton.

St. Petersburg has launched a new interactive debris collection map, "providing residents with real-time updates on cleanup progress across the city," according to a Monday news release from the city.

However, when asked whether he'd used the map, Batdorf said he had tried to open the tool with limited success.

"It's hard to understand what it is," Batdorf shared. "If the dots on the map are indicating where debris has been collected, it's inaccurate."

PREVIOUS: Shore Acres residents dealing with devastation from Helene: 'It's overwhelming'

While FOX 13 works to obtain a response to the complaints, the city's release said St. Petersburg uses a "systematic plan to remove storm debris city-wide that's time-tested with previous storms. Using the city's Sanitation Zones map as a guide, crews start in the northwest corner of each zone and work their way across to ensure proper coverage of the entire city. Crews are also focusing on the city's coastal areas."

The city of St. Petersburg has 90 days to clean up the debris on the streets.

The city of St. Petersburg is working to have the debris cleaned up in 90 days.

The city said it had contracted with debris removal company Crowder Gulf to collect debris citywide.

"More than 60 city trucks and 60-plus Crowder Gulf debris trucks are currently working actively throughout St. Pete, operating seven days a week, until the cleanup is complete. This combined approach has expedited the process, ensuring that St. Petersburg's neighborhoods are cleared safely and efficiently."

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The release went on to explain that the new debris collection map offers "an easy-to-use interface where residents can view the areas where debris has already been cleared. The map will be updated in real-time to ensure transparency and keep the community informed on the city's cleanup efforts."

The city said it is working to complete the massive debris clean-up within 90 days.

In a statement to FOX 13's Matthew McClellan the city said:

"The City began actively working on debris collection immediately following Hurricanes Helene (on 10/2) and Milton (on 10/11). The City is actively working to tackle an unprecendented amount of storm-related debris. The City has pursued debris collection through a few different avenues, including city wide sweeps, debris management sites, and the Hometown Haulers program. Recently, the City launched an interactive Debris Collection Map to provide residents with real-time updates on cleanup progress across the city. This tool comes as the City reaches a significant milestone - collecting more than 100,000 cubic yards of debris following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton (as of 10/22, nearly 135,000 cubic yards). More information and a link to the dashboard are available in the City’s dashboard announcement - https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1224.php. We thank you for the work you’ve been doing to share this tool with your viewers.

We know from experience that residents and their families are eager to return to normal daily life after major storm events. Residents can expect to see city crews cleaning up parks and a combination of city crews, contracted workers, and private haulers picking up debris citywide. However, the City is committed to completing the massive debris clean-up within 90 days. We will continue working with local, state and federal partners to ensure debris is collected as quickly as possible. For your reference, additional information on the debris collection process is available at StPete.org/Debris."

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