Two months after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tampa Bay’s coastline, the City of Largo hosted a community meeting on Friday to help residents navigate the rebuilding process.

“Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to help neighbors rebuild in compliance with state, local, and federal regulations,” said Largo City Manager John Curp.

Curp noted that several Largo neighborhoods, including Arvis Circle, were hit particularly hard by storm surge and flooding. Friday’s meeting focused on addressing the specific needs of Arvis Circle residents.

“This neighborhood experienced significant storm surge during Helene,” said Curp. “Some homes had as much as four or five feet of water inside.”

Loraine and Tim Roylance, new residents of Arvis Circle, attended the meeting to gain clarity on the rebuilding process. Having moved to Largo from Charleston, S.C., just 28 days before the hurricane, they recounted the night disaster struck.

“We woke up to this gurgling sound. At first, we thought it was the cat,” said Loraine. “But then I looked at the sliding glass door and realized water was pouring in everywhere.”

The storm left nine inches of water inside their home, destroying most of their belongings.

“Everything we moved down here ended up on the curb,” Loraine said.

Since the storm, the couple has gutted their house and prepared it for repairs, but questions about permits and rebuilding rules linger.

“A lot of people are asking, ‘How do we rebuild? How do we stay compliant with local codes?’” said Curp, adding that the city is working to assist residents in navigating these challenges.

For the Roylances, Friday’s meeting was a chance to learn about crucial steps in the process, such as obtaining permits and understanding the federal 50% rule, which limits the value of repairs to 50% of a home’s pre-damage value.

“Now we know more about how to move forward and get everything fixed,” said Tim after speaking one-on-one with city staff.

The Roylances plan to meet with their contractor on Monday to start the next phase of their recovery.

“Good Lord, just get me back home,” Loraine said with determination.

Curp encourages any residents with questions about rebuilding to reach out to the city at (727) 587-6700 for guidance.

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(Image credit: City of Largo)