Hurricane and Storm Debris Cleanup in Lakeland: A Homeowner's Guide
How to sort, stack and schedule storm debris pickup in Lakeland and Polk County, and when to hire help.
Safety before cleanup
Wait until winds have fully died down. Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them. Wear gloves, boots and eye protection, and never run a generator in a garage or near open windows.
Sort debris the way crews collect it
After major storms, cities and counties usually collect debris in separate piles: vegetation such as limbs and leaves; construction debris such as drywall, carpet and fencing; appliances; and household hazardous waste. Mixed piles are often skipped. Follow the instructions your city or county publishes after the storm.
Where to put the piles
Stack debris at the curb, not in the street, and keep it clear of power lines, trees, mailboxes, fences, water meters and fire hydrants. Crews use large equipment that can damage anything underneath or beside the pile.
City or county?
Inside Lakeland city limits, the City of Lakeland handles collection; call 863-834-8773 for bulk pickups. Outside the city, Polk County Solid Waste (863-284-4319) serves residents. After a hurricane, both typically post special collection schedules, so check their pages before hiring anyone.
When to hire a hauler
Paying for removal makes sense when debris is behind the house, inside, or needs to be gone faster than the public schedule allows, which is common for rental turnovers and home sales. Ask for a firm price after the crew sees the load, and ask where it will be taken. Be cautious with anyone who wants full payment up front right after a storm.