Important Post-Hurricane Updates
State of Florida “Insurance Village” Resource Center Opens in Clearwater
 The State of Florida announced that the Florida Department of Financial Services' Division of Consumer Services is hosting multiple insurance providers at an “Insurance Village” resource center in Clearwater. The goal is to help hurricane-impacted residents expedite the filing of insurance claims.
The insurance resource center is open to disaster victims who live in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The resource center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day starting Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6., at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road in Clearwater.
Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:
- A driver’s license or other form of identification, such as a passport or state-issued ID
- Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation
- Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Helene
- Repair estimates
- Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible
Attendees are also invited to bring electronics for charging in the waiting areas. Parking is available at the Long Center, and an overflow parking lot is available next door at the Salvation Army, just north of the Long Center on Belcher Road in Clearwater.
FEMA Disaster Recover Center Now Open
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center is now open at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive in Largo. Residents can visit Monday to Friday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Thursday to Friday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Disaster recovery centers serve as centralized locations where people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery:
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Information and Guidance: Disaster recovery centers provide information on available disaster assistance programs and resources.
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Application Assistance: You can receive help with applying for federal disaster assistance programs, such as FEMA grants and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration DRC staff can assist you in completing the necessary paperwork and explaining the application process.
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Translation and Accessibility Services: The disaster recovery center offers translation services for individuals with limited English proficiency. They also provide accommodations for people with disabilities to ensure equal access to assistance.
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Status Updates: If you have already applied for assistance, you can check the status of your application at a disaster recovery center.
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Access to Disaster-related Resources: The disaster recovery center will have informational materials, pamphlets, and brochures that can help you better understand the recovery process and available resources. Staff can refer you to other local, state and federal agencies or organizations providing additional assistance, such as housing, legal services, and counseling.
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Access to Computers and Phones: The disaster recovery center offers computer access and phone services, allowing you to complete online applications.
When visiting a disaster recovery center, it's a good idea to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.
Residents can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA app or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Solid Waste Collection Updates
Solid Waste Collection Schedules
- Black barrels/solid waste: On Schedule
- Blue barrels/recycling: Suspended Citywide at This Time
- Yard waste: Behind Schedule
Please be patient with our crews as they make progress on their collection routes citywide. Crews are working hard and are currently still picking up Monday's vegetation debris.
Debris Disposal
- The city’s disposal contractor started picking up demolition debris Oct. 1 on Island Estates, Clearwater Beach and Sand Key and will continue until debris is cleared.
- Make sure your debris is separated into piles.
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Residential Customers: Demolition debris includes carpet, drywall, furniture, mattresses, plumbing and other building materials. Different vendors are collecting different types of debris. If the debris is not sorted, it will hamper our pickup efforts and slow down the process to get back to normal.
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Commercial Customers: Contract with your private contractor to remove debris off your property/business.
- Place debris in the right-of-way not in the street, clear from power lines, utilities, mailboxes, cars, fire hydrants, trees, shrubs, etc. Not doing so could hinder solid waste from accessing your road and servicing debris.
- All residential recycling collections are suspended at this time.
- Household hazardous waste doesn’t belong at the curb. When chemicals are close together such as chlorine and gasoline, they can become incredibly dangerous to you and our crews.
This graphic below is applicable to residential customers only, not commercial.
Hazardous Waste Doesn't Belong at Your Curb
 Clearwater's solid waste and code teams are reporting that many residents are placing hazardous wastes -- like paint cans, solvents, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, chemicals, tires and other hazards -- in the right of way along residents' curbs.
Residents can take hazardous chemicals and items to Pinellas County Solid Waste for proper recycling and disposal. Dropping materials off at these two locations is free:
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Household Hazardous Waste Center: Drop off materials from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and the first and third Saturday of each month, at 2855 109th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.
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Household Chemical Collection Events: These events are held throughout Pinellas County on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Events are held Oct. 12, Oct. 26, Nov. 23 and Dec. 14, at 29582 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater.
This collection program is for Pinellas County households only. Businesses, hobbyists, haulers, and nonprofits should visit the Pinellas County's Business Collection webpage.
If hazardous items are left at the curb, Clearwater Solid Waste crews will not pick them up. Hazardous items have the potential to catch on fire, damage city equipment, and injure or kill our employees. Please dispose of hazardous materials safely and properly.
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