Millions of Cubic Yards of Hurricane Debris Await Removal Across Northwest Florida

PENSACOLA, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of Hurricane Isaias debris have already disappeared from Northwest Florida roadsides, but local governments say millions more remain.

Escambia County contractors have collected approximately 330,000 cubic yards of storm debris in more than 7,400 loads. That total does not include additional debris collected by county employees.

The county estimates Hurricane Isaias generated approximately 2.2 million cubic yards of vegetative debris.

About 236 collection units are currently working throughout Escambia County, along with 40 bucket trucks assisting with damaged and fallen trees.

Across the county line, Santa Rosa County has collected more than 250,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris and more than 200 cubic yards of construction and demolition material.

Santa Rosa recently increased its estimate of total storm debris from 1.5 million to 1.8 million cubic yards. The county estimates removal will cost approximately $23 million.

The City of Pensacola says contractors have collected more than 3,200 loads. The city's contractor projects the Pensacola cleanup will ultimately involve approximately one million cubic yards of debris.

Milton is dealing with an unusually large amount of debris for a city covering only about six square miles.

City Manager Ed Spears told NewsRadio 92.3 that Milton estimates approximately 400,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris and another 35,000 cubic yards of construction and demolition material were generated by the storm.

Milton expects debris removal to continue through the end of November.

All four jurisdictions are planning multiple collection passes.

Residents are being asked to keep vegetative material separate from construction and demolition debris and avoid placing piles where they block roads, drainage systems, fire hydrants or utilities.