10.15.2024

Today’s Forecast

A Message From Our Team

Dear TBAYtoday readers,

We are removing the events section for the foreseeable future as post-Milton cleanup continues in our area. (If you want to look ahead to planned events for later in the year, our calendar is always just a click away on our website.)

Waste not, want not

How to get rid of waste and debris after Hurricane Milton

A pile of household debris following Hurricane Milton. The pile is in front of residential houses on a small grassy area by a road, and vegetative waste is alongside the household debris.

Debris will take some time to remove. | Photo via City of St. Pete

While Milton has been and gone, he and Helene have left behind a trail of destruction and months of work to come. Driving around the Tampa Bay area, it’s impossible to avoid piles of debris, branches, and uprooted trees on their sides.

So, how do we get rid of it all?

Collection services

As of Monday, Oct. 14, trash services are operating as usual in Tampa, and the same goes for “routes that can be safely accessed” across Hillsborough County. On the other side of the Bay, St. Petersburg has also resumed trash services since the storm.

Storm debris collection is back underway across our area, as it has been since Hurricane Helene. Officials ask that you separate waste into separate categories outside your house: vegetative, construction materials, and household debris. This will help make the ongoing pickup process quicker + smoother.

If you need help clearing debris, you can call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386. That’s where you’ll be connected with local volunteers and relief organizations who may be able to help.

Two people stand in front of a large pile of household debris. There is wood and parts of furniture in front of tropical flora, while the two people are in conversation while looking at each other. — One piece of debris at a time.
|
Photo via City of St. Pete

If you want to do it yourself

When dropping off debris around Tampa Bay, first and foremost, remember to bring your ID to show proof of residency. While the requirement has been waived in parts of Tampa Bay, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Tampa’s McKay Bay Scalehouse remains closed until further notice due to storm damage. As a result, officials have opened additional drop-off sites for vegetative debris: 22nd Street Park and Gadsden Park are open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hillsborough County residents have a bunch of options, too.

There are also sites around St. Pete which open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, including:

1000 62nd Ave. NE
7750 26th Ave. N.
2500 26th Ave. S.

Got any questions? Write to us, and we’ll try to answer.

News Notes

Cause

Feeding Tampa Bay needs our help. The nonprofit is looking for volunteers for daily food distribution events across the Tampa Bay area to prepare meals for those in need. And if you need food, keep tabs on the organization’s Instagram page for daily updates.

Transit

Lines are easing off at gas stations around Tampa Bay. Millions of gallons of gasoline have arrived in our area over the past few days, easing some of TBAY’s fuel-related panic, and hopefully cutting down the time it takes to reach the pump. (Tampa Bay Times)

Weather

An unfortunate reminder: Hurricane season isn’t over yet. Meteorologists are tracking a system in the Atlantic Ocean that could form into a tropical depression. As of Monday morning, the NHC says there’s a 50% chance of development over the next seven days. (WFLA)

Community

For Duke Energy customers, the majority of power should be restored by 11:59 p.m. tonight, according to officials. As for TECO, the lights should be back on by the end of Thursday night. Not long left.

Edu

Schools are starting to reopen around Tampa Bay. Students will return to Pinellas County Schools tomorrow, Oct. 16, and classes start again at USF today. As of Monday afternoon, Hillsborough County Public Schools has not announced reopening. (Fox 13)

Cause

Want to give back to those in need right now? St. Pete’s Red Mesa Cantina is hosting disaster relief efforts through the end of the month, serving as a donation center. Consider dropping off water, diapers, non-perishables, blankets, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products.

Number

$612 million. That’s how much the federal government announced in support for Florida’s Helene and Milton recovery projects. One of the funding’s aims is to increase electric grids’ resilience in the face of adverse weather events. (Tampa Bay Times)

Transit

The City of St. Petersburg and PSTA are offering fare-free bus rides until Sunday, Oct. 27 to help locals get around. Find your local route.

Announced

The Clearwater Jazz Festival is canceled due to Hurricane Milton. The 45-year tradition was supposed to start this Thursday, Oct. 17, but organizers axed the 2024 event for safety and operational concerns. They described the decision as “heart wrenching and devastating.” (Tampa Bay Times)

Watch

Let’s show some love for the linemen working to restore power to the Tampa Bay area. We asked our readers to comment something nice about the unsung heroes, and you did not disappoint.

Listen

The Bucs put on a show in New Orleans this past weekend. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Eat

From savory to sweet, spicy to sublime, there’s something to satisfy every palate at the Central Florida Food Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Bonnet Springs Park. Grab tickets to this 21+ event.*

Play

It’s Champa Bay for a reason

The ultimate guide to Tampa Bay sports teams

Baker Mayfield throws a football in front of a huge Bucs flag. He's wearing a Bucs helmet, orange top, and is throwing to our left off-screen.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is back for the 2025-2026 season. | Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in Buccaneers red — when it comes to sports, Tampa Bay has no shortage of teams to root on. Our area is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about TBAY sports teams.

🏈 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) | Est. 1974

Fire the cannons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete in the NFC South division of the NFL. They boast a record of two Super Bowl championships and remain one of the select few teams with a perfect record in multiple Super Bowl appearances. The Bucs are currently led by head coach Todd Bowles.

🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) | Est. 1992

The Tampa Bay Lightning have had great success in recent years thanks in part to their star players. That includes Nikita Kucherov, who enjoyed a historic 2023-24 NHL season, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, whose octopoid antics have saved many a Bolts fan’s night.

City Guides are sponsored by Water Street Tampa.

Rays, Rowdies, Sun, and Tarpons

Asked

What’s the most popular sport in the US (according to viewership and TV ratings)?

A. Baseball
B. Soccer
C. Basketball
D. Football

Go for the gold

The Buy

A coffin letter board — perfect for writing out “Let’s go ghouls,” “Witch, please,” or whatever Halloween pun you love at your next October party.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

I’m so incredibly proud of this community. Everywhere I’ve been over the past five days, I’ve seen friends picking up debris, neighbors offering a helping hand, and a palpable sense of togetherness.

You’ve got this, TBAY. Hang on in there. I believe in you now more than ever.

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