CLEARWATER, Fla. — A group of private companies joined forces to help get debris out of neighborhoods in North Clearwater Beach ahead of the storm.

Arnie Bellini said his company, Bellini Capital, put up a half million-dollar fund Monday morning to assemble the group.

What You Need To Know

  • A group of private businesses worked Monday to clean Clearwater neighborhoods of debris ahead of Hurricane Milton

  • Arnie Bellini said his company, Bellini Capital, put up a half million dollar fund Monday morning to assemble businesses

  • Bellini said 16 dump trucks worked throughout the day and had removed 260 tons of debris by early evening

  • He said the goal was to remove as much debris as possible to prevent it from becoming dangerous projectiles during Hurricane Milton

"It's 'Apocalypse Now' down here in the Tampa Bay area," Bellini said of the scene in neighborhoods where residents had to throw piles of flood-damaged belongings to the curb. "There's just — there's mountains and mountains and mountains of debris, drywall — just garbage."

Bellini said businesses that stepped forward to help include Doganiero Construction, AguaCulture, and Dr. Pit Gills with St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute.

"We've been blessed with some great fortune and great businesses, but it was only because we were able to build it in such a great place, and so this is our way of giving back to that great place and trying to keep it great still," Bellini said.

Bellini said his venture capital firm invests in start-up technology companies in Tampa Bay.

"I was able to build my company here, ConnectWise, very successfully," Bellini said. "We had a very successful exit. With all the money they gave me, I pledged to give 70,000 high-paying, high tech jobs back to the Tampa Bay area and to help the community in any way I could. So, this is just one of the ways that we're doing it."

He said 16 dump trucks were running all day on the project. By early evening, he said they'd removed 260 tons of debris.

"Neighbors helping neighbors, community helping community — we've got to get back to that in the United States of America. We've got to start working together instead of fighting each other," Bellini said.

Bellini said the group started at the north point of Clearwater Beach and plan to go as far as they can before Milton hits.

Cities and counties around Tampa Bay have opened debris dump sites for residents, as well. Hours of operation are subject to change due to Milton. They include:

St. Petersburg

1953 72nd St.

Open 7 AM-7 PM

Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Facility

Via 34th St. Gate

Open 24/7

Tampa

McKay Bay Transfer Station

114 S. 34th St.

Open 7 AM-5PM Tuesday, Oct. 8

Hillsborough County

Resource Recovery Facility

350 N. Falkenburg Rd.

Tampa

Open 24 hours

Pasco County

West Pasco Resource Recovery Center

14606 Hays Rd.

Spring Hill

Open 24/7

Hernando County

West Hernando Convenience Center and Main Landfill

Open 24/7

Citrus County

Landfill

Open 24/7