Pensacola Hauls Away More Than One Million Cubic Yards of Hurricane Debris

PENSACOLA, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- More than one million cubic yards of vegetation left behind by Hurricane Isaias have already been hauled away in Pensacola, and city officials say the massive cleanup effort is still in its early stages.

As of Monday, contractors had collected 3,236 loads containing 1,065,463 cubic yards of vegetative debris.

To put that amount into perspective, the city says one million cubic yards would cover an entire football field with debris stacked more than 500 feet high — roughly the height of a 50-story building.

The cost is growing along with the debris total. Pensacola currently estimates debris-removal expenses at approximately $16 million and climbing.

Residents shouldn't assume they've been missed if debris remains outside their homes. The city expects the first collection pass alone to take four to five weeks, depending on conditions encountered by crews. At least two passes through the city are planned.

Residents should separate vegetative debris, including tree limbs and leaves, from construction and demolition materials such as fencing, furniture, carpet, plumbing materials and pieces of damaged buildings.

Collected debris is being temporarily stored at sites at Roger Scott and Goya Drive.

Pensacola has also begun reopening parks and other public facilities as debris is cleared. Fourteen parks and play spaces have reopened, although additional repairs may still be needed to fencing, lighting and other amenities.

Bayview Park, Exchange Park and Hitzman Park remained under assessment in the city's latest recovery update.

Recycling service is scheduled to resume Oct. 26. Pensacola Energy and sanitation bill deadlines have also been extended to Nov. 2.