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Tampa crews working around the clock to clear hurricane debris: 'All hands on deck'

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Updated  October 23, 2024 7:57pm EDT
Hurricane Milton
FOX 13 News

Tampa crews working around the clock to clear hurricane debris: 'All hands on deck'

FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - City of Tampa officials said it’s an "all hands on deck" operation to collect storm debris in 90 days.

READ MORE: City of Tampa has 90 days to clear all hurricane debris: 'We get it done'

If the city can get everything cleaned up in three months, FEMA will pay for it. 

"Honestly speaking, it’s always going to be to the wire," Solid Waste Director Larry Washington said. "That's how this is across the board, across the country. But we are determined to get everything up before our 90 days (deadline)." 

READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about storm debris cleanup county-by-county 

"I get calls every day about ‘my neighborhood’s being ignored:’ We have the city divided up, and we have equal amounts of contractors and city workers in everyone's neighborhood," Tampa mayor Jane Castor said. "So, again, we're getting this done as quickly as we possibly can." 

Both the city of Tampa – and Hillsborough County – have color-coded maps online, showing residents where crews are and where they’re expected to be next.

Photos of the tri-colored maps in Tampa and Hillsborough County's.

Photos of the tri-colored maps in Tampa and Hillsborough County's.

"Currently, we're working through the first set of grids. We just plussed up with the majority of our contractors. So once we get to the end of this week, we'll be able to give you a potential timeline," Washington said.

Over 150,000 cubic yards of debris have already been picked up. If that includes your debris, the mayor said Wednesday that there will be multiple sweeps.

"They'll come out for a second round and sometimes a third round," Castor said. "We're going to continue sweeping these neighborhoods."

Debris pickup teams collecting debris in Hillsborough County as the city races against a 90-day clock.

Debris pickup teams collect debris in Hillsborough County as the city races against a 90-day clock.

To help make this process go more smoothly, Washington encouraged residents to separate their debris into the appropriate piles. Residents are also asked to ensure their debris piles are far away from power lines, park vehicles, and trees, so debris collection trucks can more easily access them.

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