Collections in that neighborhood to be paused to allow residents extra time to remove materials from flooded homes
The final pass for at least a week for Hurricane Debby storm debris resulting from flooded structures in the City of Sarasota’s Bellevue Terrace neighborhood will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 27, city staff has announced.
That community is north of Bahia Vista Street and west of the traditionally Amish and Mennonite area of Pinecraft.
City staff “is pausing collection for one week to allow residents additional time to remove flood damaged materials from their homes and place it curbside,” a news release notes.
The first pass for structure-flooded storm debris “began just three days after Hurricane Debby left an unprecedented amount of rainfall and flooding in the Bellevue Terrace neighborhood,” the release points out. Altogether, 54 loads of debris were collected, totaling 1,577 cubic yards, or 2,207 tons. It included construction materials such as carpeting, drywall and wood flooring, along with white goods and bulk items, the release adds.
Flood-impacted residents within the Bellevue Terrace neighborhood are reminded to separate the storm debris from flooding into three piles, as follows, the release says:
- Construction debris — carpeting, drywall and other flood-impacted construction materials.
- White goods — appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units and water heaters.
- Bulk items — Furniture and accessories, mattresses and other items affected by floodwater within a home or other structure.
Properly separating structure-flooded storm debris “will help the City of Sarasota meet federal requirements for storm debris pickup reimbursement,” the release explains.
Residents should not place any of the debris in plastic bags, the release cautions. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will not credit the City of Sarasota for reimbursement of items contained in plastic bags,” the release stresses. That debris should be placed in cardboard boxes with the lids open or in sturdy paper bags, the release points out, so the materials can be verified as eligible for collection in connection with the storm.
Further, city staff is asking that residents place debris piles at least 6 feet away from mailboxes, utility poles, fire hydrants, backflow preventers, and water meter boxes, to allow operators of the collection equipment easy access to the debris.
“All vegetative debris should be prepared according to the regular yard waste pickup requirements and placed curbside,” the release adds.
Questions about storm debris pickup or vegetative debris should be directed to the Solid Waste Division at 941-263-6170.