Escambia County Collects 2.1 Million Cubic Yards Of Hurricane Sally Debris So Far

October 20, 2020

In the month since Hurricane Sally, Escambia County has collected over 2.1 million cubic yards of debris – enough to cover 337 football fields with debris stacked three feet high.

Contractors will make multiple debris collection passes over the next couple of months, and the final collection dates will be announced in advance.

Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home. The county has divided its jurisdiction into three zones and contracted with three separate companies to accomplish the debris removal in 90 days.

Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:

  • Vegetative Debris (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
  • Construction and Demolition Debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures)
  • Appliances and White Goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
  • Electronic Waste (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
  • Household Hazardous Waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
  • Only loose debris will be collected; bagged debris should not be placed on the public right of way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low hanging power or utility lines.

Do not place debris within four feet of:

  • Mailboxes
  • Water meters
  • Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
  • Only debris placed on the public right of way will be eligible for collection until further notice.

In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, drop off sites in Escambia County are accepting trees, branches and other vegetative debris.

Drop off locations are available from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice for vegetative debris only:

  • Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
  • John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
  • Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
  • Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
  • Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
  • Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road

These are free sites for Escambia County residents with identification or proof of residency. These locations are only for private residential use only; no commercial debris will be accepted.

If residents would like to drop off construction and demolition debris, they can do so at the following locations:

  • Perdido Landfill (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
  • Oak Grove Convenience Center (Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Pictured; Hurricane Sally debris curbside in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Escambia County Collects 2.1 Million Cubic Yards Of Hurricane Sally Debris So Far”

  1. Barbara Sinnett on October 22nd, 2020 2:18 pm

    they have picked up tree limbs on Marion Oaks Pl from all the houses except the 4 or 5 houses on the cul de sac. Not sure why.

  2. Sonya on October 22nd, 2020 2:21 am

    It is discouraging to have so much piled up for so long. Kinda hard to move forward with other things. However, I’ve been grooming my pile of vegetative debris, trying my best to keep any trash out of it, compacting it, pitchforking it around to more optimal spots, etc. Well, as they say, it’ll feel better when it quits hurting. LoL

  3. sue byrd on October 21st, 2020 9:52 am

    You people scrounging for aluminum, metal, any scraps in front of peoples homes, CLEAN UP THE MESS you made before you leave. Leaving screws in the road, throwing trash in the road.

  4. sue byrd on October 21st, 2020 9:42 am

    Snakes, the good & bad kind, rats, mice, etc., are setting up nice homes in the debris.

  5. TJ on October 20th, 2020 9:28 pm

    I live in Melbourne, FL now, and when Hurricane Matthew hit Oct 6-7, 2016, it took FEMA until late Dec to pick up our cut up trees that were pilled on the street. Our pile was about 4′ wide and 4″ tall, the entire length of our property. By the time they got it we had various animals that had taken up residence in the debris. They are slow, but they will get it, it just takes time.

  6. Jason on October 20th, 2020 6:38 pm

    @Ellen Melton — On Monday, 10/19, I took a trailer load (1620 pounds) of Hurricane Sally damaged fencing to the the Perdido Landfill. It was NOT free. The landfill charges $45.06 per ton. My subdivision still hasnt had a FEMA truck remove any vegetation removal as of today, although, I know they are working in my immediate area. Regardless, its unknown when they will start removing construction related debris. As such, the $36 I paid to drop off my fencing was worth the time and money as I no longer have to look at an eyesore and it allows me to move ahead with my repairs.

  7. Ellen Melton on October 20th, 2020 5:07 pm

    This article states construction debris can be dropped off at 2 locations. I know the vegetation drop off locations are free. Are the construction debris dropoffs free too? We have lots of downed fence that won’t fit safely in our culdesac.

  8. NavyDave on October 20th, 2020 12:59 pm

    It does seem to be taking a long time, and the rhyme or reason is often not clear on what gets picked up and what gets passed by. I’m sure the entire system is overwhelmed with the mess Sally left behind and they will ultimately get the debris cleared. On a side note, I just want to say it’s heartbreaking to see all the beautiful old-growth trees that came down getting cut up and dumped in a landfill. I hope someone is trying to salvage or somehow repurpose some of this beautiful wood.

  9. Rasheed Jackson on October 20th, 2020 9:04 am

    It has been my experience, if you live on a side street or off of a main road, you should take your debris to the main road, it wil be picked up a lot quicker. I had several trees that I hauled to the main road and they were picked up that day. The men loading the the trees said they were hitting the main roads first and the small and side streets would get picked up last if they get picked up. Now I am sure this is not the case 100% of the time but if you are dealing with debris not getting picked up this may be the issue.
    Providentially I have been blessed with a larg trailer and a tractor so this was no big deal for me.

  10. Melissa on October 20th, 2020 8:34 am

    It has been over a month since the hurricane and still have debris on my road. Last week a bobcat came and pushed everyone debris around and pushed mine halfway in my driveway. Sunday a big truck came through and skipped around on the road and picked up small amounts and left not to be seen again. It doesn’t seem productive doing things this way. It looks more like clock riding on Fema dime. Wasn’t a ECUA truck either.