As Sarasota County residents and local governments work tirelessly to recover from the aftermath of recent storms, many are now facing a new crisis of being abandoned by the very storm debris contractors hired to help them.
Communities across the state, not just Sarasota County, are struggling with piles of debris left untouched as storm contractors, who are contractually committed to cleaning up the mess, abandon their work to chase higher profits in other states.
In the weeks following a storm, debris removal contractors were seen as a crucial lifeline for Sarasota County and other communities throughout Florida that are eager to rebuild.
But as recovery efforts have dragged on, many of these companies are fleeing Florida to head to North Carolina and Tennessee, where recent storms and, most importantly, more lucrative contracts await.
Something needs to change. This egregious behavior of putting profits over people needs strict penalties from the state or even the federal authorities.