The 2024 hurricane season is drawing to a close, bringing a sense of relief to Tampa Bay area residents after a year marked by relentless storms. This season produced 18 named storms, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivering the greatest impact on the region.

“These were major events for us,” said Mark Wool, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “It was a busy season, particularly for the Gulf Coast, with five hurricane landfalls, three of which were in Florida.”

Storm Toll and Financial Losses

The season left a significant mark on Florida, resulting in over 314,000 insurance claims and an estimated $5.3 billion in damages. Tragically, 63 lives were lost in the state due to the storms.

Extended Relief Deadlines

There is some good news for storm survivors: FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for disaster assistance to Jan. 7, 2025, providing additional time for those affected.

“This extension gives survivors almost three more weeks to apply for assistance,” said Karixia Ortiz Serrano, a FEMA representative.

Ongoing Cleanup and Recovery

While recovery efforts are underway, local governments face a 90-day deadline to clear storm debris to qualify for FEMA reimbursement. Residents can expect to see cleanup efforts continue in the coming weeks, especially in heavily impacted beach towns across the Tampa Bay area.

Although the road to recovery will be long, the end of the hurricane season brings a welcome break and a chance for communities to rebuild without the looming threat of another storm.

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(Image credit: Pinellas County)