Hurricane Helene Debris Assistance

Polk County was largely spared from Hurricane Helene, but the storm did generate some debris. While no emergency declaration was issued, which would have triggered the county’s disaster debris removal operation, the county is prepared to assist residents in the following ways:

• Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Division will collect hurricane debris, including yard waste that does not meet residential collection guidelines (see guidelines below) and other materials. Waste must be hurricane related.

 Polk County’s Solid Waste Division will continue collecting non-hurricane related routine yard waste according to the following guidelines:

• Items must be curbside from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Items must be within 3 feet of the curb or edge of the street.
• Items must be at least 3 feet from other fixed objects.
• All yard waste must be bagged, bundled or containerized for collection.
• Up to four containers will be collected per week.
• Bundles, bags or containers of yard waste should weigh less than 30 pounds each.
• Branches should be no more than 3 feet in length and no more than 2 inches in diameter.

 Roads and Drainage and Solid Waste Customer Service are working together to create a list of residents who have hurricane-related debris. If residents have hurricane debris that would not be collected in routine yard waste collection, they can call and request to be added to the hurricane debris pickup list.

 “Our Roads and Drainage and Solid Waste customer service teams will be working diligently to serve our customers,” said John Bohde, Deputy County Manager. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we address hurricane debris collection.”

 To be added to the hurricane debris pickup list, call Solid Waste Customer Service at (863) 284-4319.