BrandonUpdate on Debris Pick Up
The City of St. Petersburg will begin collecting storm debris in flood-impacted neighborhoods on Thursday, September 7. The City is asking residents who would like their debris to place their separate their debris and place on the curb. If residents have items that they need to keep for insurance or other purposes, they should keep them on private property and make sure they are not on the curb or right of way.
If you would like debris picked up, follow these guidelines.
What We’re Picking Up: The City of St. Petersburg will be picking up the following types of debris in flood-impacted areas:
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris
- Fencing Materials – fences knocked over during the storm
- Construction Materials – building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, plumbing
White goods (appliances and furniture)
- Appliances – air conditioners, dishwashers, washers and dryers, stoves, refrigerators, water heaters
- Electronics – computers, televisions, and other devices
Hazardous materials
- Batteries, cleaning supplies, paints, pesticides, oils, compressed gas
Debris Placement: For debris that’s ready to be picked up, please separate and place on the curb. If you have items that you need to keep for insurance or other purposes, keep on private property and make sure they are not on the curb or right of way.
- Place debris in front of the house near the roadway curb.
- DO NOT place debris near trees, poles, fire hydrants, utility boxes, or other structures that make debris removal difficult.
- DO NOT place debris in alleyways or on sidewalks.
- DO NOT place debris in the street or block roadways.
Vegetative debris – For residents that have vegetative debris from the storm, please place in your trash bin for regularly scheduled pick up. If it does not fit, please call 727-893-7398 and schedule a special pick up.
Emergency Housing Resources:
Resources are available for St. Pete residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia.
American Red Cross Shelter
In cooperation with Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg, the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Allendale United Methodist Church for anyone who needs a safe place to stay after Hurricane Idalia.
Allendale United Methodist Church
3803 Haines Rd. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
More information at stpete.org/hurricane.
Recreational Vehicles & Travel Trailers
Mayor Ken Welch is authorizing the on-site use of recreational vehicles and travel trailers on residential lots for residents in flood-impacted neighborhoods. For the next six months, the City of St. Petersburg will suspend issuing fines, citations, and penalties related to this specific sheltering and housing plan for residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Idalia.
More information at stpete.org/hurricane.
FEMA Financial Assistance
Residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia may be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
For more information or to apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App, or call toll-free 800-621-3362.
For additional assistance, St. Pete residents in adversely affected areas can contact Helen Rhymes, Social Services Planning Manager, at helen.rhymes@stpete.org or 727-893-4149 for additional assistance.
Clean Up
In the wake of Hurricane Idalia’s devastating pass, communities are faced with extensive damage and overwhelming debris. But even in the midst of the devastation, hope shines through as federal assistance steps in to help rebuild and rejuvenate the affected areas.
Debris Clean-Up:
- Prioritize Safety: Before attempting any clean-up, ensure your safety and that of your loved ones. Wear protective gear, including gloves, safety goggles, and closed-toed shoes. Be cautious of hidden dangers like exposed nails, downed power lines, and contaminated water.
- Segregation: Separate debris into categories such as vegetative, construction, electronics, household hazardous waste, and white goods (large appliances).
- Curbside Collection: Local authorities are organizing systematic curbside collections. Please place debris by the curb away from fire hydrants, trees, and utility poles to facilitate easy pick-up.
FEMA Assistance:
- Apply for Aid: Those affected by Hurricane Idalia are encouraged to apply for FEMA aid. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and other hurricane-related expenses.
- Registration: Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech and hearing impairments can call 1-800-462-7585. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
- Inspections: After registering, if your home is inaccessible, you will be contacted for an inspection to assess the damage.
- Stay Informed: Updates about FEMA aid distribution centers, mobile registration points, and other vital information will be regularly broadcasted on local news channels and the official FEMA website.
Community resilience is the key during these trying times. By working together and leveraging federal assistance, residents can look forward to rebuilding and healing in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.
Good afternoon,
We hope everyone remained safe during the storm, city teams are out evaluating today and will be placing hangers on doors to inform/educate residents (attached digitally for reference). Additionally, there are various graphics and relevant information on Council Member Gabbard’s District 2 Facebook Page that may answer many of the questions you or your neighbors might have. Please feel welcome to share this information across social media/neighborhood emails or group messaging and reach out to us directly at Brandi.Gabbard@stpete.org or Kimberly.Amos@stpete.org if you need any clarification.
Vegetative debris can be placed into regular black containers or shared alley dumpsters, taken to any of the brush sites (all locations including 62nd Ave NE are now operating), or residents can request special pickups with the sanitation department by calling 727-893-7398 or entering a request at seeclickfix.com/st-petersburg. For anyone with flood damage that may ultimately need removal of construction debris/appliances/furniture, it is recommended they contact their insurance company first to ensure they are following any agency/policy requirements.
Please be advised that there will be a temporary interruption in reclaimed water service due to high salt content in the reclaimed water system from the storm. If you can help spread this message it would be greatly appreciated, while unlikely that anyone will be running sprinklers right now, many homes may have systems on automatic timers that will need to be shut off. It is anticipated reclaimed water service will be restored sometime next week and the 24-Hour Water Resources Dispatch Line is available for questions at 727-893-7261.
The City’s emergency management team is working collaboratively with Pinellas County as well as FEMA on additional resources, we will share additional information once available.
Understanding we’re approaching a holiday weekend, please know that we will be continuing to monitor email and are here to provide resources & support as recovery efforts from Idalia begin,
Kimberly Amos
Legislative Aide, District 2
Council Member Brandi Gabbard
St. Petersburg City Council
Direct: 727.893.4096
Council Office: 727.893.7117
Latest from Brandi Gabbard on Hurricane Idalia
HAFSA: 11:00am Aug 28
GFS: 11am Aug 28
ECMWF: 11am Aug 28
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Pinellas officials have issued their first evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Idalia, which is swirling south of Florida that’s expected to hit the state as a powerful hurricane later this week.
County officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for those living in evacuation Zone A and for all mobile home residents.
The release noted the threat of “life-threatening storm surge” in the county once the storm hits. The evacuation order goes into effect at 7 p.m.
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We are preparing for another round of potential storm surge and hurricane-force winds, less than a year after Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes on record, hit the southwest region of the state. The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane and storm surge watch for parts of Florida’s Panhandle and Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay area, as Hurricane Idalia moves into the unusually warm Gulf of Mexico.
Idalia, pronounced “ee-DAL-ya,” brought heavy rainfall to western Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula over the weekend and is expected to intensify into a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph over the eastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday. Landfall is anticipated between Panama City and Tampa Bay on Tuesday night or Wednesday, although southwest Florida, which was impacted by Hurricane Ian last September, is not expected to be affected.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 33 counties and urged Gulf Coast residents to remain vigilant, even if they are currently outside the projected path of the storm. He warned of potential fuel disruptions, power outages, and evacuation orders during a Sunday press conference.
Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, advised residents in the Tampa Bay area to complete storm preparations by Monday night, as strong winds are expected by Tuesday morning. He emphasized the vulnerability of the Florida peninsula to storm surges, noting that a significant surge could occur even without a strong system or direct hit.
Hurricane preparedness is a part of life in St. Pete and the City of St. Petersburg urges citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their home and property, and their communities before, during, and after the storm. Much of St. Pete lies in evacuation zones; make sure you have a plan before there’s a storm approaching.
Evacuation Info | Sign Up for Alerts | Debris Removal | Sandbags | Report An Issue
Latest Emails from City of St. Pete Reps on Hurricane Idalia
Good afternoon neighborhood leaders,
We hope everyone has their storm preparation underway, with Tropical Storm Idalia anticipated to become a hurricane with potential storm surge we wanted to make everyone aware that both St. Petersburg and Pinellas County will be suspending their sandbag distribution efforts after 7 pm this evening, please reference the locations below for St. Petersburg. Each household can receive a maximum of 10 sandbags and residents must provide a proof of residence to receive the sandbags. If you can assist with getting the word out to your neighbors who may not have received their sandbags, we would greatly appreciate it.
Self-Service Sandbag Locations:
- Lake Vista Tennis Court Parking Lot: 12th Street South & 60th Avenue South
- Lakewood Sports Complex Parking Lot: 2001 Country Club Way South
- Grandview Parking Lot: 3734 6th Street South
- Childs Park Pool Parking Lot: 1227 43rd Street South
- Campbell Park Shelter Area Parking Lot: 1360 5th Avenue South
- Azalea Athletic Fields Parking Lot: 1600 72nd Street North
- Walter Fuller Soccer Field Parking Lot: 2800 75th Street North
- Garden Club of St. Petersburg: 500 Sunset Drive South
Full Service Sandbag Locations:
- Northeast Park: 955 62nd Avenue NE
- Lake Maggiore Shelter Area: 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Street South
- Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot: 2331 60th Street North
Please continue to monitor progress of the storm and any potential evacuation orders. You can sign up for Alert St. Pete at www.pinellas.gov/alert and view the latest storm information at www.nhc.noaa.gov You can also follow @StPeteFL on social media for St. Pete specific storm updates.
If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance please do not hesitate to reach out to our office, we will be regularly monitoring email.
Please stay safe and be well,
Kimberly Amos
Legislative Aide, District 2
Council Member Brandi Gabbard
St. Petersburg City Council
Direct: 727.893.4096
Council Office: 727.893.7117
🚨URGENT: FLORIDA BRACING FOR CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE IDALIA🚨
Florida’s emergency chief, Kevin Guthrie, warns that Hurricane Idalia is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 4 hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico. Floridians are urged to prepare for impacts, including power outages, downed trees, heavy rain, and winds.
As of Monday morning, Idalia was 80 miles off Cozumel’s coast with 35 mph winds and is expected to become a hurricane by late Tuesday afternoon. Guthrie said, “I’m anticipating it is going to be a (Category) 4, and we are preparing as such.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized preparing for the worst, as warm Gulf waters will likely strengthen the storm into a major hurricane. Resources will be staged in Marion County and parts of North Florida for flexible response if the storm track changes.
Both DeSantis and Guthrie stressed that preparations are necessary even outside the cone of uncertainty. Guthrie’s biggest concern is “procrastination,” as Gulf coast communities may face evacuation orders. Storm surge watches and warnings are in place for 12 counties along the Gulf coast, from Sarasota County through Gulf County in the Florida Panhandle.
“People need to be heeding those warnings,” Guthrie said. “If you live on the coast, you could have 4 to 7 feet of storm surge, and you need to make a plan to get off that barrier island or off that coastal low-lying area today.”
#HurricaneIdalia #Florida #EmergencyPreparation #StaySafe🌀🚨🌊
ALERT PINELLAS - Hurricane Idalia
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners today declared a State of Local Emergency for Hurricane Idalia, which is forecast to soon become a hurricane.
While the future intensity and exact track of the storm remain uncertain, forecasting models mostly agree that the storm will make landfall as a major hurricane between the Tampa Bay area and the Big Bend area of Florida, and that the storm could bring significant storm surge and other impacts to Pinellas County late Tuesday through Wednesday.
Residents are urged to check their evacuation zone and be prepared to act quickly as additional storm information is shared throughout the day at disaster.pinellas.gov.
Residents who suspect local price gouging can report it to Pinellas County Consumer Protection at (727) 464-6200 or complete an online form at Pinellas.gov/consumer. They are also encouraged to report it to the Attorney General’s hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
Residents with preparedness questions can call the County Information Center at 727-464-4333 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the CIC via online chat at bit.ly/PinellasChat.
Hurricane Idalia, which originated as a tropical depression on Saturday evening, is projected to make landfall around Florida’s Big Bend. However, forecasters caution that the track may shift, and damage can occur hundreds of miles from the storm’s center. Mark Luther, an associate professor at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, warned that the storm could “sneak up on you quickly” and advised Tampa Bay area governments and school systems to start planning.
Voluntary evacuation orders and shelter openings have been announced in Hernando County for areas west of U.S. 19, including coastal and low-lying regions and manufactured homes. Emergency public meetings are scheduled for Monday morning in both Pinellas and Pasco counties to consider local state of emergency declarations. Schools in the Tampa Bay area will remain open, except in Hernando County, where classes are canceled from Monday to Wednesday, and some schools will serve as shelters.
Idalia’s circulation was weak but expansive on Sunday, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and higher gusts. The storm’s ultimate intensity will depend on its organization near the Mexican coast and the impact of wind shear on its circulation.
Mark Luther expressed concerns about significant storm surge and rainfall flooding in Tampa Bay if the storm approaches the area, and is making hotel reservations for Tuesday night as a precaution. The hurricane center predicts a surge of 3-5 feet in Tampa Bay if the peak surge coincides with high tide.
Florida faces the highest risk of surge, flooding rains, destructive winds, and tornadoes, but the storm may also bring strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding risks to other parts of the Southeast, including Georgia and the Carolinas, by Wednesday. The rainfall may help alleviate a prolonged drought in western Florida.
Meteorologist Josh Linker noted that the dry ground and low river levels could handle widespread heavy rain for now. Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are conducive to storm intensification, as hurricanes draw energy from the heat stored in ocean waters. The hurricane center warned of a significant risk of rapid intensification as the system moves across the record-warm eastern and northeastern Gulf of Mexico.
SANDBAG UPDATE 
The City is on track to distribute 5,000 sandbags today – more locations are opening Sunday and Monday. 8 additional self-service sites open tomorrow, Aug. 27, and 3 full-service sites open on Mon., Aug. 28.
8/27 5pm Tropical Storm #Idalia Update
TS Idalia continues to slowly move northeast in the Caribbean but is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico
Review your hurricane plans now! 27/8 5 p.m. Actualización sobre la tormenta tropical #Idalia TS Idalia continúa avanzando lentamente hacia el norteste en el Caribe, pero se espera que se convierta en huracán a medida que avanza hacia el Golfo de México. ¡Revise sus planes para huracanes ahora!Sandbag locations + details, here: https://stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R745.php
From Mayor Ken Welch:
Follow @stpetefl platforms for updates. Sign up for ALERTPinellas: bit.ly/ALERTPinellasRegister. Visit StPete.org/Hurricane for info & tips.
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