Local Governments Update Storm Debris Collection Plans

    Area storm collection is underway, with municipal governments and Lake County well into the process of clearing roadsides from vegetative debris caused by Hurricane Ian. Differing from 2017, when Hurricane Irma’s widespread damage resulted in a large, federal response, the current cleanup is being managed by local government agencies.
   Lake County, in partnership with area municipalities, has in place an overarching agreement that triggers applying for FEMA response. However, Ian’s impact hasn’t been seen as damaging enough to trigger the response, and red tape, that can come with federal participation.
   “Lake County hasn’t activated its FEMA deal,” said Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship this week. “We are doing it ourselves.”
   Blankenship said city public works crews began cleaning up debris from curbsides shortly after the storm hit, and by early this week roughly half the town had been covered. The city is absorbing the cost of the cleanup, and will continue until all areas have been covered.
   “We’re just eating the overtime and weekends,” Blankenship said.
   But not forever.
   The city is only providing for a single cleanup from the storm, and this week sent out a call to residents that after they have seen debris cleared from their curbsides, they are to return to the standard yard trimming practice of bundling up to three cubic yards per week, which is picked up by the city’s garbage hauler.
   Blankenship said the city is already seeing instances of contract tree trimmers placing more and more items along roadsides. Those items are not eligible for the current storm response.
   In Eustis, the city is also handling the storm pickup, and has reminded residents that the debris must be separated into piles for pickup. The city is picking up tree and other related items, and can’t be intermixed with any other wood or metal items.
   Lake County has contracted for its own countywide pickup.
   he county has initiated a yard debris contract to allow its haulers to focus on picking up garbage and recycling. Lake County asks residents for patience as they work to implement the contract and correct any missed collections.
Residents should report missed collections to the County’s Solid Waste Department by emailing GarbageCollection@LakeCountyFL.gov. The solid waste team is working to address complaints as quickly as possible.
   For now, residents should note the following:
• Yard debris will be picked up by a contractor—residents may see trucks they do not recognize in their neighborhood
• Yard waste will be collected as quickly as possible, but it may take a while to pick up across the entire county
• Residents should take their bins out on schedule and leave them out if they are missed—haulers may come at irregular times to pick up
• If carts have food that may attract wildlife, residents are asked to place it curbside first thing in the morning and wheel it into a secured place in the early evening.