Irma storm debris pickup begins in Brevard County

County estimates 600,000 cubic yards of debris piled up

PALM BAY, Fla. – At the Palm Bay Estates mobile home park off U.S. 1, a vacant lot has become the dumping ground for Hurricane Irma's destruction.

The city of Palm Bay Monday began picking up the mess surrounding the residences of one of the hardest-hit parts in Central Florida. Irma spawned six tornadoes in Brevard County, one of which destroyed six mobile homes at the Palm Bay Estates.

Resident Richard King evacuated ahead of the storm and returned last week, thankful that his home was still standing and that, most important, no one was hurt.

King said he plans to pick up the pieces and keep on going.

"Happy nobody got hurt and that's the main thing. The rest of this stuff can be replaced," King said.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service said the tornado started across U.S. 1 as a waterspout in the Indian River off of Worth Court and Anglers Drive.

Debris pileup in that neighborhood also stood tall Monday while awaiting pickup.

And while most people in the county have their power back, linemen like Daniel Monroe, with Young's Communications in Melbourne, are still working to restore residents' cable and internet.

"There's a lot of work, still," Monroe said. "We've got 10 crews that I know of and we're out from morning until dark just doing what we can in the time we got."

Despite what the damage in that corner of Palm Bay may lead people to think, the county estimates debris from Irma is less than what Hurricane Matthew left last year.

For those putting out debris, leaders say your storm debris needs to be separated from other household trash and recyclables.

Leaders also advise storm debris itself be sorted into five categories--vegetative, construction and demolition, appliances, electronics and household hazardous waste.


About the Author:

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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