|
Important Post-Hurricane Updates
Separate Your Debris to Make It Faster for Solid Waste Crews to Pick Up
Solid Waste will be picking up household trash (black barrel) tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 30 for the normal Monday route, Clearwater Beach, Island Estates and Sand Key. The purpose of this pickup is to dispose of items like rancid food and household goods, and to deter animals. Do not place sand, lithium batteries or yard waste in your black barrel. It will not be picked up.
There will be no recycling pickup this week for any residential customers. If you would still like to drop off your recycling, the recycling center will be open at 1701 N Hercules Ave.
To expedite debris removal, please follow these rules and separate your debris into the following piles. If the debris is not sorted, it will hamper our pickup efforts and slow down the process. Do the following so you don't have to move things twice:
- Electronics: These have components that may be dangerous.
- Appliances: Some have gasses or other components that need special handling.
- Hazardous material: Waste with properties that make it potentially harmful to human health or the environment.
- Vegetative material: Large piles of tree limbs and branches. (Large brush should be cut into 4-foot lengths and bundled.)
- Construction material: Damaged components of buildings and structures—wood, glass, metal, roofing material, tile, carpeting, concrete, equipment.
- Household garbage: Almost all foods from a home will have spoiled without refrigeration.
Clearwater Beach Re-Entry
- Reminder that ONLY those who have a purpose on the beach -- residents and business owners, along with people who work there -- are allowed access to Clearwater Beach. That means no sightseeing trips to the beach, package deliveries, ride-share services, among other things. That will remain in place until 4 p.m. Tuesday, when access for everyone is restored.
-
City crews are working around the clock to make conditions safe enough for reopening. We appreciate your patience.
Safety Tips for Returning Home
-
Don't Drive Through Flood Waters. Never drive through flood waters; turn around, don't drown. If you must drive and it is safe to do so, use Waze app or website for latest road and bridge closure information.
-
Continue to Conserve Water. When returning to Clearwater Beach, make a significant effort to conserve water in order to reduce stress on the city's wastewater system.
-
Electricity. Be advised that the power is out and traffic lights and signals are not functioning.
-
Inoperable Traffic Signals. Drive with caution and treat each intersection as a four-way stop.
-
Building Stability and Use Caution. Buildings have not been inspected for structural integrity. Re-enter your property at your own risk and use extreme caution.
-
Generators. Outages are affecting multiple neighborhoods, especially in Clearwater Beach. Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Do not operate during high winds and rain. Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
-
Recovery Continues. Be respectful of recovery and storm cleanup crews.
|
|
Assistance is Available
FEMA assistance is now available and you can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app, or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
The Disaster Distress Helpline is open and provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Residents who need help cleaning up damage can request assistance through the Crisis Cleanup at (844) 965-1386 or by visiting crisiscleanup.org. Local voluntary relief organizations will respond to these requests.
Residents needing disaster assistance, including cleanup kits, can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
HOPE Florida is assisting residents with unmet needs. The HOPE Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE (1-833-438-4673) or at hopeflorida.com.
Rebuilding After The Storm
-
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and city of Clearwater have flood damage prevention regulations that may affect how you remodel, renovate or add on to your building in order to better protect lives and investment from future flood damages. For more information, visit MyClearwater.com/stormdamage
- We are seeing an increase in construction companies and door-to-door salespeople trying to gain access to the beaches. Be aware that unlicensed contractors often target homeowners following a storm. Ensure that any contractors you hire for repairs are properly licensed. Find out if they are licensed here at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/emergency/
Report Storm Damage
- Clearwater residents can report storm damage via Clearwater Connect at myclearwater.info/reporthelenedamage.
-
Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. If you need additional assistance with your business, please call the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925, open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email ESF18@em.myflorida.com. Contact Clearwater Economic Development starting Monday, Sept. 30, with questions or for assistance filling out the business assessment survey at (727) 562-4030.
-
Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team Business Damage Assessment Survey: https://floridajobs.org/floridadisaster.biz
 Residents are invited to cool down, use our air conditioning, and charge your devices if possible, in the days ahead.
Clearwater Libraries
- Clearwater Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Drive: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Sunday noon-5 p.m.
- Clearwater East Community Library at St Petersburg College, 2465 Drew St.: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday
- Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.: Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon-5 p.m., closed Sunday
- Clearwater North Greenwood Library, 905 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday noon-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday
Clearwater Recreation Centers
Monday to Saturday Schedule
- Morningside Recreation Center,2400 Harn Blvd.: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd.: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Countryside Rec Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr.: 5 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
- McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Ave.: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-8:30p.m.
- Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane: Closed Monday, Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. other days
- North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday Schedule
- Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd.: 1-5 p.m.
- Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd.: CLOSED
- Countryside Rec Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr.: CLOSED
- McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Ave.: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.: CLOSED
|
|
Water
 The reclaimed water system has been turned back on for all customers.
You do not need to conserve reclaimed water.
Report a Leak
-
If you suspect or see a water leak, report it immediately to (727) 462-6633.
Conserve Potable Water
Continue to conserve potable water post-storm as best you can at this time. Even now that Helene has passed, continue conserving water to help alleviate stress on the city's wastewater system. Infrastructure repairs and recovery efforts are taking some time.
Save water with these tips, especially now:
- If it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown flush it down. Reduce toilet flushing during tropical events by limiting flushes to fecal matter.
- Do not let the faucet flow while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use a glass of water for rinsing your teeth.
- Take showers instead of tub baths. Consider bathing small children together.
- Avoid doing laundry during the storm event if possible.
- Do not flush wipes or grease down the drain or use garbage grinders (insinkerators). Throw it in the trash instead.
Power & Electric
-
If your home has experienced significant flooding turning off your main breaker provides an added level of safety as power to the area is restored. Never attempt to access your breaker panel if it is wet or near water.
- Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
-
Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Do not operate during high winds and rain. Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
Council Work Session is Canceled
The Council Work Session that was scheduled for Sept. 30 is canceled. The City Council meeting scheduled for Oct. 3 is still taking place at the Clearwater Main Library at 6 p.m.
Want to Volunteer?
To learn more about volunteering, call (727) 464-4333. The beaches are only open to residents and business owners. Volunteers should not show up to the beach without first registering and receiving an assignment through Volunteer Connect with Pinellas County. Learn more at volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect.
Have a question or concern? Reach out and let us know.
|
|
|
|
|
