Hurricane Irma: Debris litters Orange County neighborhoods one month later

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been more than a month since Hurricane Irma hit Central Florida and the piles of storm debris remain in many neighborhoods.

Twigs, trees and other storm debris have been picked up on some streets, but not on other streets.

The city of Orlando posted on its website a map and schedule of when people can expect their debris to be picked up, but many residents still remain frustrated.

Orlando resident Barbie Blood turned her debris pile into Halloween decorations.

“My daughter and I put together the spiders for the pile and just did it,” Blood showed Channel 9’s Shannon Butler.

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Blood said she is just one of many residents along a stretch of road in Orlando with a big pile of dried-up leaves and bushes still on their front lawn.

A spokesperson for the city said up to 50 percent of debris has been picked up in Orlando. Orange County has removed 35 percent of residents' debris.

The city and county have contractors, as well as their own crews, removing the debris.

A spokesperson said there are many reasons for the time it’s taken for the debris to be picked but, but those issues will be addressed after everything has been cleaned up.

AshBritt Environmental and other debris removal companies are under investigation by the state for allegations of not following through on promises.

AshBritt, the company Orlando contracted to pick up the debris, is being paid $7 per yard for hauling, but emails show subcontractors are being paid around $5 per yard.

A project manager wrote in one of the emails that it’s difficult to get some haulers to subcontract with AshBritt because “these rates are not good enough for them.”

• Hurricane Irma: Contractor pay slowing down storm debris removal process
• Central Florida still dealing with removal of Hurricane Irma debris
• Orange County hurricane trash removal: When yours will be picked up

Cox Media Group