In the fall of 2024, the City of Tampa and surrounding counties faced an unprecedented challenge with back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton making landfall in a 10-day period. The compounded impact created a debris management scenario far beyond typical hurricane response, testing the limits of the city's emergency preparedness, operational capacity, and interagency coordination. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how the Solid Waste Department navigated this complex crisis using a resilient, adaptive approach rooted in planning and continuous improvement to manage the massive amounts of debris created by the storms.

Drawing on lessons from past storm events, the City of Tampa Solid Waste Department activated a pre-established debris response framework that emphasized real-time decision-making, contractor readiness, and community communication. Despite the storms’ compounded effects, the department managed the collection and processing of over 1 million cubic yards of vegetative and construction debris while maintaining FEMA compliance and public trust.

Key topics include pre-storm staging of equipment and personnel, zone-based prioritization strategies, and the use of GIS and mobile technology for field data tracking. Attendees will gain insight into how Tampa’s emergency and solid waste teams collaborated seamlessly with contracted haulers, private vendors, and regional partners to prevent bottlenecks and maintain momentum in debris removal efforts. The session will also explore post-event evaluation findings including performance metrics, operational challenges, and improvements made as a result of the two events. Special emphasis will be placed on adaptive planning — how the city adjusted its logistics, communications, and workforce deployment to better respond to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This presentation offers valuable takeaways for municipalities, solid waste leaders, and emergency planners facing the potential for consecutive disasters. Tampa’s experience demonstrates that resilience is not just about having a plan — it’s about having the agility to adjust that plan in real time while maintaining clear communication, community confidence, and operational excellence.

About the Speakers

Larry Washington
Director of Solid Waste | City of Tampa

Larry Washington is the Director of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management for the City of Tampa. He manages a team of 300 Solid Waste professionals with over 120 solid waste vehicles at their disposal. Servicing, over 89,000 commercial and residential customers for the City of Tampa. As an Air Force veteran and a dedicated City of Tampa teammate, he prides himself on “pushing the needle”; ensuring the provision of solid waste is always met with fresh eyes.

Steve Swan
Chief of Operations | City of Tampa

“My career in the Solid Waste industry began in 2004. I spent ten years with WM and went on to work with several smaller, local haulers in the Massachusetts area. I currently hold a BS in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth, and an MBA in Strategic Leadership (Minor in Change Management) from Amberton University. I am SWANA certified in Integrated SW Management, TREEO trained, and hold a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. I am extremely proud and honored to call Tampa and the COT Solid Waste Department my home for the last eight years.”

Jonathan Kane
Business Programs Supervisor | City of Tampa

Jonathan Kane is a dedicated professional with dual Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Business Management from the University of South Florida. Bringing 12 years of experience in the Solid Waste industry, specializing in effective waste resource management for the City of Tampa. Proven leadership in managing large-scale storm debris cleanup operations for major hurricanes including Irma, Ian, Helene, and Milton, ensuring the city's swift recovery and environmental safety.