Cape Coral has collected nearly 20 percent of storm debris from Hurricane Ian

Luis Zambrano, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
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Cape Coral collected nearly 20%, or 350,000 cubic yards, of the estimated 1.8 million cubic yards of storm debris left behind by Hurricane Ian, according to a Tuesday update.

"I want it off the streets as soon as possible," said Terry Schweitzer, Cape Coral solid waste manager. "Just be patient."

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The city of Cape Coral is aiming to pass through every street in the next 60 days, and will continue to collect debris throughout December, spokeswoman Kaitlyn Pearson said.

Schweitzer said that 20% of the city experienced storm surge, which was primarily felt in the southern part of the city.

Throughout that part of the city, wet and broken household items litter the front of residents' homes.

"And down here because of the flooding, this is the hardest impact area of the city, and we are focusing our efforts down here," Schweitzer said. "To get people's household effects out of the way, so they can start rebuilding their lives."

Contractor Hendrix picks up debris in a neighborhood in southeast Cape Coral to pick up storm debris.
Contractor Hendrix picks up debris in a neighborhood in southeast Cape Coral to pick up storm debris.

The city also created an interactive map, where residents can see the progress made in their specific zone or subzone. It can be found at capecoral.gov under the hurricane recovery tab.

Hurricane debris must be placed at the curb in three separate piles: vegetative debris, construction debris, and appliances.

The city’s contracted debris removal company, CERES Environmental, has been collecting hurricane debris since Oct. 5.

One hundred and sixty trucks a day roll throughout the city each picking up 100 yards of debris from "dawn and until dusk." They have picked up more than 7,100 loads.

Schweitzer said the city is required by FEMA to monitor and document debris removal, so contractors can only work when monitoring crews can take a picture.

A few other challenges to collecting trash also included traffic, and residents burying water meters, utility boxes, and fire hydrants with their storm debris.

Contractor Hendrix drives through a neighborhood in southeast Cape Coral to pick up storm debris.
Contractor Hendrix drives through a neighborhood in southeast Cape Coral to pick up storm debris.

Schweitzer said it's not just homeowners driving through the south, it's contractors, volunteers, landscapers, low power lines, and insurance adjusters all congesting narrow streets where debris needs to be picked up.

Residents may drop off vegetative debris at 2930 NW 13th Street from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

The city's waste hauler, Waste Pro, began trash collection on Oct. 3, and recycling service resumed Monday.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian: Cape Coral debris removal reached 20 percent