Good morning everyone!

 

As everyone should be aware of now, we have yet another storm, Milton, coming our way that will most likely be knockin’ on our doors probably Wednesday in some fashion since the storm area pretty much covers the western coast of Florida.   We still have time to prepare and should begin the preparation process all over again.

 

Below is information regarding preparation for Milton as well as continued recovery efforts from Helene.  I will try to continue to provide you with updates.   

 

SANDBAGS

 

With impending storm Milton, sandbag operations will open beginning with John Chesnut Park and Walsingham Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS

 

To register for the Special Needs Evacuation Program, please call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333. DO NOT wait until the last minute. Transportation will NOT be available once dangerous winds begin.

 

Eligibility

 

Residents of all ages who have special needs are eligible for the program. Some examples include but are not limited to:

Needing oxygen.

 

Requiring assistance with routine care and medications.

 

Requiring mobility assistance.

 

Dependence on electricity.

 

Requiring transportation assistance.

 

How to Register

 

Call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333.

 

Debris

 

The county is working diligently to get debris picked up and started residential collection of Hurricane Helene debris in the unincorporated area of the county on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Debris collection will be implemented in zones.  The County is currently working to have FEMA allow the County dumping site to be opened for debris.

IMPORTANT: Storm debris that is in bags and/or not separated will NOT be picked up. Storm debris must be loose and separated by type: vegetative material, construction and demolition debris (doors, drywall), mixed goods (mattresses, furniture) and household appliances. Refrigerators MUST be empty.

Disposal sites for individuals and commercial companies in unincorporated Pinellas. See listings.

Sand and Storm Debris Cleanup

Storm Debris Collection

Pinellas County started residential collection of Hurricane Helene debris in the unincorporated area of the county on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Debris collection will be implemented in zones.

IMPORTANT: Storm debris that is in bags and/or not separated will NOT be picked up. Storm debris must be loose and separated by type: vegetative material, construction and demolition debris (doors, drywall), mixed goods (mattresses, furniture) and household appliances. Refrigerators MUST be empty.

Disposal sites for individuals and commercial companies in unincorporated Pinellas. See listings.

Accepted Storm Debris Items

Vegetative Debris

• Logs
• Plants
• Tree Branches

Construction & Demolition

• Building Materials
• Carpet
• Drywall
• Furniture Lumber
• Mattresses
• Plumbing
• Fence

Household Appliances

• Air conditioners
• Dishwashers
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Stoves
• Washers and Dryers
• Water Heaters

Storm Debris Items NOT Accepted

Normal Household Trash

• Normal household trash and bagged debris of any kind will not be picked up with debris as part of this program.
• You should continue to follow your normal garbage removal schedule.

Electronics

• Cell Phones

• Computers/Laptops
• Hard drives/CD Drives
• Monitors
• Smart Phones
• Tablets
• Televisions

Household Hazardous Waste

• Lithium Ion/Rechargeable Batteries
• Household chemicals
• Gasoline/Fuel
• For more information, visit pinellas.gov/where.

Residents living in a municipality should check with their city or town about the availability of debris pickup in their area. If you’re not sure if your property is located within unincorporated Pinellas or within a city/municipality, use the interactive My Neighborhood Services tool to find out. For those living on private roads or in gated communities, check with your homeowner’s association for debris collection or use the County’s residential debris management site.

The Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex cannot accept storm-related debris from residents or private haulers. The facility is not an approved site for storm debris disposal BUT Pinellas County is diligently working to have FEMA allow our site to be utilized for storm debris.  Hopefully, this will be happening soon.

Please ensure the roads are accessible for the debris haulers. All authorized debris collection crews will display a placard on the vehicles with Pinellas County’s authorized contractor: DRC

Storm Debris Collection Schedule & Map

Helene Debris Collection

Communities	Map Zone	Tentative Timeframe	Pass #
Crystal Beach; Ozona; West Palm Harbor	INONO5	Oct. 2-9	1
Unincorporated Seminole	INSW09	Oct. 2-9	1
West Lealman	INSE06	Oct. 2-9	1

 

The following locations are available for debris disposal for residents living in unincorporated Pinellas County.

Commercial haulers are NOT able to use this site.

Location	Address	Hours
Central	13600 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater	7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

 

FEMA Opened Satellite Registration Locations

 

FEMA opened satellite registration locations for assistance in the following locations:

 

Gulfport Public Library: 5501 28^th Ave S., Gulfport 

 

Enoch D Davis Center: 1111 18^th Ave S. St. Petersburg 

 

Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation: 1500 16^th St., Palm Harbor 

 

City of Madeira Beach Recreation Center: 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach 

 

City of South Pasadena: 7047 Sunset Drive S., South Pasadena  

 

Oldsmar Public Library: 400 St. Petersburg Drive E., Oldsmar 

 

Displaced After Helene?

 

Pinellas County residents displaced by Hurricane Helene have several options for seeking short- and long-term housing.

 

FEMA Displacement Assistance

FEMA Displacement Assistance helps survivors who can’t return to their home following a disaster by giving them up-front money to help with immediate housing needs. The amount of money is based on 14 days of hotel costs based on a rate chosen by the state impacted by the disaster. The assistance is a one-time payment. FEMA may provide up to two weeks of funds for temporary lodging at a hotel, motel, or the home of friends or family, for displaced applicants who apply during the registration period.

Displaced residents can apply for this and other help by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or going in-person to the Disaster Recovery Center, at Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. For more info, see FEMA Displacement Assistance Fact Sheet.

FEMA Serious Needs Assistance is also available to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. You could qualify for both forms of assistance by applying to FEMA by phone or online.

Pinellas Housing Options Website
Pinellas County has posted a list of resources to help displaced people find short- and long-term housing options, including online search tools, real estate company information, short-term rental companies, and apartment listings. Realtors and property managers are responsible for updating their available listings on their websites, but the listings and resources allow residents to more easily locate potential housing options. See Pinellas.gov/hurricane housing.

Local Emergency Shelters

The County continues to provide emergency shelters for people who need a temporary safe

place to stay while looking for a longer-term home. Call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333 for more information on emergency sheltering, including locations that accept pets and have support for people with special medical needs. County staff is actively helping individuals and families who are at shelters find other housing options.  

 

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276   All government correspondence is subject to public record law.