Florida is getting ready for Hurricane Milton to hit with strong winds and heavy rain. But there’s another problem: debris left by Hurricane Helene that could turn into dangerous projectiles during the storm.
To prevent this, Florida is working hard to clear the streets and parks of appliances, furniture, and other debris before Milton arrives. Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered landfills to stay open 24/7, and the state is using drones to help with cleanup efforts.
Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays play, is being turned into a base camp for debris removal. The Florida Department of Transportation has already removed a massive amount of debris from public areas, but there’s still more work to be done.
Trash haulers in Florida are getting police escorts and cheers from the community as they work to clear the debris. However, it’s a tough and expensive job that can take months and cost millions of dollars.
Since 1998, states have spent $24 billion on debris removal after disasters, with FEMA covering most of the cost. Florida alone has spent $5.5 billion on debris removal, more than any other state.
Hurricane Milton’s quick arrival after Helene has made the situation even more challenging. While state officials are urging trash haulers to work non-stop, many are not operating 24/7. There have also been challenges between contractors and FEMA regarding payment rates.
To address this issue, Florida officials are asking FEMA to pay trash haulers a predetermined daily rate over a period of 30 to 90 days. This would provide more incentive for haulers to come from other states to help with the cleanup efforts.
Overall, Florida is working hard to ensure that debris from Helene does not become a hazard during Hurricane Milton. The state is hoping for federal support to cover the costs of debris removal and make the process more efficient and effective.
