LAKELAND, Fla. — While debris pickup is underway in parts of Polk County, residents living on Pineville Lane are growing weary.

What You Need To Know

  • Piles of debris still linger on the curb of Pineville Lane in Lakeland

  • Residents says the debris has taken an emotional toll on him and his neighbors

  • Polk County has several debris pickup and drop off options to ensure roads are clean

Piles of clothes and furniture still linger on neighbors’ curbs, some just outside of Michael Caudy’s door.

“I have anxiety issues, and this makes it a lot worse because I see that stuff. I just don’t like it,” he said.

Caudy said water from a nearby creek flooded his home during Hurricane Milton, destroying most of his belongings, including his Bibles.

“I had all kinds of religious books, and they’re all gone. It really plays mind tricks on you,” Caudy said.

Now, he and his neighbors must relive their loss every time they step outside.

“It’s about time they come and pick it all up because it hurts all of us to look out there and see all of our stuff out in the road,” Caudy said. “I thought they would pick it up by now.”

Polk County officials say the goal is to have all storm debris picked up by Nov. 24. Their focus is to pick up debris from the most heavily damaged areas first, then move to other parts of the county.

To ensure everything gets removed, they advise residents to separate their debris into the following categories:

  • Vegetative debris: unbagged leaves, logs, plants, and tree branches

  • Construction and demolition debris: building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, mattresses, plumbing, etc.

  • Appliances: A/C units, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.

  • Electronics: televisions, computers, etc.

  • Household hazardous waste: cleaning supplies, batteries, paints, pesticides, etc.

Residents also have the option of dropping off debris at the following locations:

  • Polk County’s North Central Transfer Station, 3131 K-Ville Ave., Auburndale, Fla., 33823

  •  Polk County Strickland Avenue, 5901 Strickland Ave., Lakeland, Fla., 33812

  •  Polk County Marigold, 9500 Marigold Ave., Poinciana, Fla., 34759

As for Caudy, he’s unable to travel far or lift much with his walker. In the meantime, he said he’ll just wait at home for crews to arrive.

“If they would just pick that stuff up, everybody would be much happier,” he said.

For additional information on how to dispose of debris and residential waste, visit the Polk County's website.

Keep track of debris pickup in Polk County with the debris removal map below.