Port Richey is facing a $3 billion bill for hurricane cleanup

PORT RICHEY — The city is facing a $3 million cleanup bill after back-to-back hurricanes, and locally it’s a rare street where most of some residents’ earthly possessions aren’t piled on the sidewalk.

But the city is working as quickly as it can to get the streets clean, City Manager Matthew Coppler said at the Oct. 22 City Council meeting.

Coppler said cleanup crews are working seven days a week, and he estimated the storms produced 50,000 cubic tons of debris. The city is removing up to 505 cubic yards, he said.

Coppler said this rate will ensure Port Richey meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements — which must be met before the agency can reimburse costs — but not the 45-day deadline the city has imposed on itself.

“We know there is a lot of debris to clean up and a lot of frustration on so many levels,” Councilmember Linda Rodriguez wrote on the We Make Sunshine Community Facebook page.

Rodriguez said the city has collected 5,000 cubic yards of debris so far — a drop in the bucket compared to what needs to be done — with the help of a contractor and city trucks. The city trucks can only hold 10 to 20 cubic meters of rubble at a time. The contractor’s trucks can accommodate 160 trucks.

She said FEMA only recently paid $60,000 of the $96,000 it will reimburse Port Richey for cleanup after last year’s Hurricane Idalia.

“To get the money, we have to follow their rules,” she said.

Rodriguez said Port Richey has applied to FEMA for an accelerated plan, hoping to get 50% of the cost of this year’s cleanup up front, which should help speed up the process.

“I know this is all hard when we drive around and see everyone’s kitchen tables, mattresses, dressers, everyone’s entire lives sitting on the sidewalk,” she said. “In my 37 years in Port Richey, I have never seen such devastation. The City of Port Richey is committed to keeping costs to a minimum for us, the taxpayers. … Dealing with insurance companies, FEMA and being reminded every minute that your life is on the brink is mind-boggling. I can’t say “I’m sorry” enough. We will continue to work hard to arrange this properly. I promise.”

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