Local

Hurricane Ian: Cleanup efforts continue as piles of debris await collection

ORLANDO, Fla. — From trash cans, to bags, to piles, to stacks, the limbs and branches felled by Hurricane Ian are sitting on curbs across Central Florida, awaiting collection.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The time it’ll take to get it all picked up will vary, depending on the county.

READ: ‘That’s my everything’: Man recounts riding out Ian aboard sailboat in Fort Myers

In Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties, debris collection is already in progress.

Along the coast, Brevard County officials say they’ll start Wednesday. Flagler County will run on its normal schedule, and Volusia County will have back-to-back Saturdays for picking up storm debris.

In Orange County, the process will start this week. Like Flagler, Osceola County’s small waste collection is running on a regular schedule.

READ: ‘A nightmare’: Seminole County residents near Saint Johns River still plagued with flooding issues

Seminole County officials say they’re still working on a schedule, though they’re looking at starting next week.

Residents also have the option of hauling away their own debris, with many cities and counties setting up drop-off locations for those who prefer a faster clean-up.

It should be noted that individual municipalities will have their own clean-up schedules.

READ: Florida National Guard rescues hundreds from flooded homes, ferries supplies to those stranded

There’s no way to be sure exactly how long the entire process will take. Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, it took approximately six months for some counties to get everything removed.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.