Cape Coral has collected nearly 20 percent of the estimated 1.8 million cubic yards of storm debris left by Hurricane Ian, or 350,000 cubic yards, according to Tuesday’s update.
“We want to get it off the streets as soon as possible,” said Terry Schweitzer, Cape Coral’s solid waste manager. “Just be patient.”
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The City of Cape Coral aims to clear every street in the next 60 days and will continue to collect debris through December, spokeswoman Caitlin Pearson said.
Schweitzer said 20% of the city experienced storm surge. This was mainly felt in the southern part of the city.
In that part of the city, wet and broken household items are strewn in front of residents’ homes.
“And this is the most severely affected area in the city because of the flooding, and we’re focused on that,” Schweitzer said. “Clean up your household goods so you can rebuild your life.”
The city has also created an interactive map that allows residents to see their progress in specific zones or subzones. Can be found at capecoral.gov under the Hurricane Recovery tab.
Hurricane debris should be placed on curbs in three separate piles: plant debris, construction debris, and electrical appliances.
CERES Environmental, a city contracted debris removal company, has been collecting hurricane debris since October 5th.
160 trucks drive through the city a day, picking up 100 yards of debris each “from dawn to dusk.” They picked up over 7,100 loads.
Schweitzer said the city is required by FEMA to monitor and document debris removal, so contractors can only do the work if the wardens can take pictures.
Some other challenges for garbage collection included traffic, and residents filling water meters, utility boxes, and fire hydrants with storm debris.
Schweitzer said it’s not just homeowners driving through the South, but contractors, volunteers, landscapers, low-power lines, insurance assessors, and others crowd the narrow streets that need to be picked up for debris. is there.
Residents may drop off vegetation debris at 2930 NW 13th Street from 8am to 6pm daily.
The city’s waste hauler, Waste Pro, began picking up trash on October 3, and recycling services resumed on Monday.
Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Luis can be reached at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.
