Correction: This story previously said the sand cleanup was being done by the city of St. Petersburg. This has been corrected to St. Pete Beach.
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of St. Pete Beach is continuing its efforts to remove sand throughout Pinellas County beaches.
The sand removal process begins by removing it from the sidewalks and roadways and into “dirty” piles.
Madeira Beach hotel helps dozens of locals find place to stay
That dirty sand is then moved into a giant sifting machine, which separates the clean from the dirty sand.
Finally, the clean sand is sent over the top of a conveyor belt to be spread back onto the beaches.
“The amount of sand involved is massive, but the work is getting done,” the city said.
On Wednesday, WFLA’s Eagle 8 flew over Madeira Beach, surveying the piles of debris lining the streets.
According to officials, separating debris into different kinds of material— vegetative debris, fencing materials, electronics, appliances, and construction materials, will help expedite the cleanup process.