ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Wednesday night will mark a week since Hurricane Milton made landfall on the west side of Florida.

The strong Category 3 storm tore through Tampa and Central Florida and then exited on the east side of the state into the Atlantic.

A week later, some communities are still dealing with record flooding and debris. While officials say floodwaters will eventually recede, efforts to clear storm debris will begin in Orange County on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Orange County public works will begin Hurricane Milton debris cleanup Wednesday, Oct. 16

  • Three debris drop-off locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 20

  • Debris should be separated into piles; vegetative debris will be the top priority 

  • Loose leaves should be bagged or bundled

Residents who experienced damage at their homes should compile the items they’d like removed and set them out for pickup into separate piles.

Vegetative debris will take priority for pickup. That pile can include anything like broken tree branches, bagged or bundled leaves, uprooted trees or any other natural yard waste.

Those items should be separate from appliances, electronics and any fencing debris. Orange County officials have also made debris drop-off locations available through Sunday Oct. 20. They include:

  • Conway Water Treatment Plant, 3590 Manatee St. in Orlando 
  • Harrell Road, 8503 Trevarthon Road in Orlando 
  • Zellwood Maintenance Unit, 3500 Golden Gem Road in Apopka

These locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

County officials also encourage homeowners to consider making large debris piles with their neighbors to help expedite the removal process.