Lee County hit a new milestone with 2 million cubic yards of debris collected in one month – a rate three times faster than collections after Hurricane Irma. Total collections from Hurricane Irma in 2017 were 1,749,948 cubic yards in 111 days. Hurricane Ian debris collection crews beat that number on Nov. 1 – only 28 days into collections.
Crews are setting new industry records with daily debris collection totals ranging from 78,000 cubic yards to nearly 100,000 cubic yards. There are 133 specialized debris trucks working continuously in Lee County each pulling a trailer that doubles collection capacity.
Hurricane Ian debris presents challenges the county hasn’t experienced after previous storms. In addition to the customary vegetative and structural debris, storm surge and flooding left behind thousands of cubic yards of household furniture, cars, boats and dirty sand.
The county is divided into phases based on the level of debris. Phase one experienced the most severe impact from Hurricane Ian and has the most debris. Phase two includes the areas with the second-most storm debris followed by phases three and four. Crews are currently collecting in phases one and two. Lee County’s debris contractor, CrowderGulf, estimates that the first pass to remove hurricane debris in unincorporated Lee County will be completed within the next 30 days. Each neighborhood will receive at minimum a second pass for debris removal. Additional passes will be conducted as warranted, particularly in those neighborhoods that experienced both wind damage and severe flooding.
Residents can track debris collection progress at the county’s debris removal information dashboard https://lee-county-fl-debris-removal-thompsoncs.hub.arcgis.com/.
For more information about how to stack your debris, visit www.leegov.com/storm/debris.
For Hurricane Ian response updates and information, check www.leegov.com/storm or follow @Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc
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