Thousands of Tampa Bay area residents are still navigating the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, grappling with significant challenges, including confusion over damage assessment letters issued by local municipalities.

These letters are critical because if a home is deemed more than 50% damaged, the homeowner is typically required to either demolish or elevate the structure. However, inaccuracies in these assessments have caused frustration and uncertainty for many.

Sean Bryan, a resident of St. Pete Beach, received two conflicting letters from the city about his home’s damage status. One letter stated he could proceed with repairs, while the other required him to demolish or elevate his home.

“Initially, I received a non-substantial damage determination letter from the city of St. Pete, essentially saying my property was damaged but only 36.6% of its value,” Bryan explained.

Less than a week later, a second letter arrived, claiming his property was “substantially damaged,” with the estimate skyrocketing to 89.6%.

“It went from 36.6% to 89.6%,” Bryan said. “I was devastated. I’ve got to replace drywall, flooring, cabinets, and paint—but that’s not 89.6% of my structure’s value. How are these numbers determined?”

The city acknowledged the discrepancy as a clerical error and assured Bryan that only the initial non-substantial damage letter would be used. Despite this, Bryan remains uneasy because both letters are still publicly accessible online.

Bryan is not alone in his concerns. Many residents in the area report similar issues. A Treasure Island homeowner noted that some properties with no flood damage at all were mistakenly assessed as “substantially damaged.”

“Don’t take that letter as gospel, because it’s not accurate,” Bryan cautioned.

Fortunately, most municipalities offer appeals processes for homeowners to challenge inaccurate damage assessments. For residents like Bryan, this offers a potential path to resolution amid the ongoing recovery efforts.

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(Image credit: Fox 13 News Tampa Bay)