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Thursday, November 5, 3 p.m. - Hurricane Isaias left an estimated 4 million cubic yards of vegetative debris across Santa Rosa County's nearly 1,100 square miles. Since the storm, debris removal crews have made significant progress, collecting more than 1.6 million cubic yards as of November 4. The collected debris is currently being transported to 11 different locations for processing and disposal.
While debris removal is a massive undertaking that will take several weeks to complete, progress continues each day. Santa Rosa County appreciates the community's continued patience and cooperation as crews work to clear the debris left behind by this devastating storm. The county remains committed to serving our community and restoring normalcy as recovery efforts continue.
Watch the latest debris removal update video at https://youtu.be/N-pXfAM0EJE?si=zsRKtXkO2cAbT3s7.
Debris Pickup
The first pass of debris pickup began on Wednesday, October 14, on public, county-maintained roads. Multiple passes will be needed for debris removal. In a typical storm event, it takes an average of three passes to collect all debris from roadways. However, the amount of debris from this storm is far greater than usual. Crews will make as many passes as necessary to collect all storm debris. Residents will receive plenty of advance notice before the final pass is made, so everyone has time to ensure their debris is placed for collection.
Santa Rosa County has an estimated 4 million cubic yards. The current estimated cost of removal is $72 million. A debris removal dashboard is available to the public at https://cloud.santarosa.fl.gov/portal/apps/sites/#/santa-rosa-county-fl-hurricane-isaias-debris-removal-site
Important Information About Debris Pickup Timelines
Due to the significant amount of debris throughout Santa Rosa County and the scale of the cleanup operation, crews are working across the county without a set neighborhood-by-neighborhood pickup schedule. We are unable to provide specific pickup dates or estimated timeframes for individual streets, neighborhoods, or properties.
Debris collection is an ongoing process, and the order in which crews reach different areas may change based on operational needs, accessibility, and the amount of debris remaining. We understand residents want to know when their debris will be collected, but providing individual estimates is not possible at this time.
There is no sign-up list for debris pickup. If you live on a publicly maintained county road, crews will get to your area. Please leave properly separated storm debris along the public right-of-way and keep it accessible for collection. We appreciate your patience as crews continue working throughout the county. For those on privately maintained roads, such as subdivisions where the road is maintained by the HOA, information on that is below under "Debris Pickup on Private Roads".
Placing Debris for Pickup
Residents should place storm-generated debris along the public right-of-way, generally the area between the street and the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. Proper placement and separation of debris will help collection crews work safely and efficiently. There is no size restriction. Keep piles consolidated by debris types (vegetative and C&D) and take care not to let any piles spill over into the street.
Residents should follow these guidelines when preparing debris for collection:
- Separate debris by type. Place vegetative debris, such as tree limbs, branches, leaves, and shrubbery, in a separate pile from construction and demolition debris, such as damaged building materials like fencing and sheds. These materials will be collected separately.
- Do not bag storm debris in plastic bags. Only loose debris or debris in PAPER bags will be collected.
- Keep debris away from utilities and obstructions. Do not place debris near drainage ditches, storm drains, mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants, low-hanging tree limbs, power lines, transformers, or other utilities. Keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles and other traffic.
- Leave remaining debris for subsequent collection passes. Only storm debris placed along the public right-of-way is currently eligible for collection. If debris is not removed during the initial pass, keep remaining materials properly separated and accessible for subsequent collection.
- Keep household garbage separate. Regular household garbage collection will continue according to schedules established by residential waste service providers. Household trash, including spoiled food, should be placed in regular garbage containers and never mixed with storm debris.
Debris Information Line
Questions about how to place debris or need to address concerns with debris pickup? Residents may call a dedicated info line, Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 833-495-3919.
Debris Pickup on Private Roads
The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners has authorized debris removal from privately maintained roadways in locations (such as subdivisions) where the debris removal addresses a clear public health and safety need. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/PrivateRoadDebris for more information.
Vegetative Debris Drop-off Sites
Santa Rosa County has opened temporary, free drop-off sites for vegetative debris from Hurricane Isaias, providing residents with an additional option for disposing of storm-related yard debris.
The sites are available for residents who prefer to haul their vegetative debris to a designated drop-off location rather than transport it to the Central Landfill in Milton. This service is in addition to the county's curbside debris pickup along publicly owned roads, which began Wednesday, October 14.
The temporary drop-off sites are:
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.
Important information for residents:
- There is no charge for Santa Rosa County residents to dispose of vegetative storm debris at these sites.
- Sites are for Santa Rosa County residents only. A valid ID or other proof of residency is required.
- No commercial debris or contractor deliveries are permitted.
- Only vegetative storm debris, such as tree limbs, branches, leaves and other yard debris, will be accepted. No household garbage, construction debris or appliances.
- Material in bags will not be accepted. If items are brought in bags, residents may dump them out at the site and take the bags with them.
- Follow posted signs and directions from site personnel.
Residents may also continue using the county's curbside debris collection service and should keep vegetative debris separate from other storm-related waste.
Residential Debris at the Central Landfill and Jay Transfer Station
- Santa Rosa County residents can dispose of vegetative debris at no cost at the Central Landfill, 6337 Da Lisa Road in Milton, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The Jay Transfer Station is for regular operating hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Keep household garbage separate. Regular household garbage collection will continue according to schedules established by residential waste service providers. Household trash, including spoiled food, should be placed in regular garbage containers and never mixed with storm debris. Please remove all spoiled food and clean out refrigerators and freezers before disposal.
For additional information about storm debris removal, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/DebrisInfo.
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