Panama City trash pickup runs late as crews clear Isaias debris. Bay County's landfill takes storm debris free to Oct. 25. How to set out piles so crews take them.

Trash pickup in Panama City will run late for the next couple of weeks while city crews clear debris left by Hurricane Isaias. The city said nearly every household has storm debris waiting for collection.

In normal weeks, the city said, trash crews find a debris pile at every third or fourth home. The city gave the figures in its storm recovery update, last updated Tuesday.

The city said regular pickup would resume Monday morning, picking up where Friday’s routes stopped. Crews are following their normal routes in order. The city estimated that about 38 trees came down across Panama City.

“Your collection may take longer than usual, even if neighboring homes have already been serviced,” the city said.

How to set out debris so crews take it

The city published a guide to preparing debris for pickup. It asks residents to:

  • bag leaves, grass clippings and other small yard debris in sturdy bags
  • bag small branches, twigs and loose storm debris where possible
  • stack larger branches and limbs in neat, manageable piles at the roadside
  • keep piles off storm drains, drainage inlets and ditches
  • keep roads, sidewalks, fire hydrants and mailboxes clear
  • keep household garbage separate from storm debris

The city said debris on or near storm drains raises the risk of street flooding. To report a blocked drain, call the city at 850-872-3112.

Free drop-off at the county landfill until Oct. 25

You do not have to wait for the truck. Bay County has extended its Waste Amnesty program through Sunday, Oct. 25. Any Bay County resident, including people in Panama City, can drop off storm debris and other accepted materials free of charge. The county announced the extension in a release on Wednesday.

The Steelfield Landfill is at 11411 Landfill Road in West Bay, off State Road 79, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Panama City. It is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It accepts:

  • fallen trees, limbs and other yard debris
  • furniture and appliances
  • construction debris
  • household garbage
  • household hazardous waste
  • tires, up to 25 a vehicle

Bring proof of Bay County residency. The county said loads in commercial vehicles or trailers count as commercial and are not free. Gas cylinders, explosives, ammunition and flares are not accepted.

The county’s Oct. 26 pickup is not for city homes

Bay County crews will make a single roadside pass for unbagged vegetative debris starting Monday, Oct. 26. That pass covers only the hardest-hit parts of unincorporated Bay County: all of unincorporated Panama City Beach, and north along State Road 79 to Steelfield Road. It does not include homes inside the city of Panama City, which city crews serve.

For people in that county area, the release said:

  • debris must be at the roadside by Oct. 26, because crews will not come back
  • only trees, branches and limbs are taken, not bagged vegetation, furniture or appliances
  • private roads and private neighborhoods are left out, because they are not eligible for FEMA reimbursement
  • debris put out by hired contractors is not collected, for the same reason

The county said it is using its own crews instead of outside contractors to keep costs down. It said neither the federal nor the state government pays for this kind of collection up front. The county pays first and then seeks reimbursement, which “is not guaranteed and could take years.”

“We want to provide meaningful assistance while being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore said in the release.

Help for people who cannot move debris

The county said residents who are elderly, have physical limitations or cannot safely clear debris can ask for help through Rebuild Bay. Requests go through the Rebuild Bay online request form. The Bay County Citizens Information Center answers questions at 850-248-6090.

What it means for you

  • Panama City homes: leave debris at the roadside, bagged where you can, and expect your regular trash day to slip. Crews are working through routes in order.
  • Want it gone sooner? Take it to the Steelfield Landfill free before Sunday, Oct. 25, with proof of residency.
  • Unincorporated Panama City Beach or the State Road 79 corridor: get unbagged limbs and trees to the roadside by Monday, Oct. 26. There is only one pass.
  • Damaged home or business? Fill in Bay County’s damage assessment form. The city said it does not request disaster money or file an insurance claim, but helps officials ask for recovery supplies.

For your normal pickup day, holiday changes and bulk items, see our trash and recycling guide. For the storm itself, see our Isaias update.

Frequently asked questions

When will Panama City pick up my Hurricane Isaias debris?

City crews are working through their normal routes in order. The city said regular trash pickup would resume Monday, Oct. 12, and that collection will run late for the next couple of weeks because nearly every household has storm debris.

Can I take storm debris to the Bay County landfill for free?

Yes, through Sunday, Oct. 25. The Steelfield Landfill at 11411 Landfill Road takes storm debris, furniture, appliances, construction debris, household garbage, household hazardous waste and up to 25 tires free from Bay County residents, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring proof of residency.

Does Bay County’s Oct. 26 debris pickup include Panama City?

No. The county’s single roadside pass for unbagged vegetative debris covers unincorporated Panama City Beach and the area north along State Road 79 to Steelfield Road. Homes inside the city of Panama City are served by city crews.

How should I set out storm debris in Panama City?

The city asks residents to bag leaves, yard clippings and small debris, stack larger branches neatly at the roadside, and keep piles away from storm drains, ditches, sidewalks, fire hydrants and mailboxes. Keep household trash separate.