Despite Last-Minute Cleanup Efforts, Helene’s Debris Piles Remain a Threat During Hurricane Milton

Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton’s impending landfall, but the state is still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which left massive piles of debris scattered across the landscape.

Dangerous Debris Left Behind by Hurricane Helene

Trash haulers who had been working tirelessly to clear the wreckage have suspended their efforts as Milton approaches, posing a significant risk for communities along the Gulf Coast.

In areas like Tampa, where piles of ruined furniture and household items still line the streets, residents are anxious about the potential danger. Heather McClellan, a resident, expressed her concern: “I’m just afraid that the wind is going to pick that stuff up and it’s going to be a projectile.” This fear is echoed across the region, with many worried that the uncollected debris will become hazardous as high winds sweep through.

Race Against Time for Cleanup Crews

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the efforts made by state and local crews to remove debris ahead of Milton’s arrival. “In a little over 48 hours, they were able to remove 55,000 cubic yards of debris,” DeSantis said, acknowledging the challenges faced in such a short time frame. Crews worked around the clock in counties like Manatee, Sarasota, and Pinellas, where over 3,000 truckloads of debris were removed.

However, despite these efforts, the task was far from complete. Sarasota County’s emergency management chief, Sandra Tapfumaneyi, admitted that they were only able to do so much in the limited time available. “Normally you would have months to clean up that debris,” she said. “In a couple of days, you can only do so much.” Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, managed to collect 35,000 cubic yards of debris, but officials warned that loose trash could become projectiles in Milton’s high winds, causing injuries and property damage.

Kimberly Byer, assistant county administrator for public works, acknowledged their limitations. “There’s not enough time and resources,” she explained, adding that many contractors had already left to prepare for Hurricane Milton. With insufficient personnel to continue the cleanup, the situation remained precarious as the storm approached.

A Community in Crisis

Mayor Jane Castor revealed that efforts to clear debris were further hampered in Tampa when one of the city’s contracted trash haulers failed to show up. In response, more city workers were dispatched to collect as much trash as possible, with the help of neighbors pitching in to get debris ready for pickup. “Just to get that household debris out of the way so Milton doesn’t pick it up and use it as a weapon,” Castor said.

As the storm draws near, residents are making their own decisions about whether to stay or evacuate. Giancarlos Struse, who lives in a concrete townhouse in Tampa, has opted to stay, noting that his home is more secure than older wooden houses. Still, he acknowledged that his windows could be vulnerable to flying debris. Meanwhile, Joseph Malinowski, a local sailor who gained viral fame for refusing to leave his boat during Helene, plans to ride out Milton on his sailboat again. Confident in his experience, Malinowski believes the water is safer than land.

With Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida, the community faces a dual threat: the powerful storm itself and the dangerous debris still littering the landscape. As preparations continue, Florida residents brace for the impact, hoping the worst storm will pass without further devastation.