The Pinecrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighborhoods that, despite not being designated as FEMA flood zones, suffered extensive flood damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

Many homeowners in the area lack flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance—some of which, they claim, has yet to arrive.  

Codie Parkinson has already spent more than $3,000 of her own money on home repairs.  

“We had two rain events within nine days, and sewage water ended up in the pool both times,” Parkinson told Bay News 9.  

Debris and fallen trees still litter her backyard.  

“It’s been here since Milton,” she added.  

She recently walked through the damage with a FEMA inspector for the first time.  

“I’m surprised they even showed up,” Parkinson admitted.  

The call from FEMA caught her off guard, especially since it came more than four months after the storms devastated the community.  

“When I saw ‘D.C.’ calling, I thought it was a survey,” she said. “The caller told me he didn’t know what took them so long.”  

According to FEMA, applicants should be contacted by an inspector within 10 days of requesting assistance.  

“I’m dealing with this carpet, and it needs to come up,” Parkinson said.  

While she has made some repairs, much remains unfinished.  

“I don’t have the money to replace the screens or remove this tree from my yard,” she said.  

She also claims to have lost more than $1,000 worth of groceries, adding to the financial strain.  

“The water came this close to getting inside my house. I don’t know how much longer my little fridge and freezer will last,” she said.  

Parkinson has filed claims with Hillsborough County and FEMA. While she doesn’t expect full compensation, she hopes for some assistance before the next storm season.  

In a statement to Spectrum News, FEMA addressed the delays, stating:  

“There are a number of factors that can contribute to a delayed FEMA visit, and it would be difficult to determine the cause without more details on the individual survivor’s case. Each case is unique, and eligibility for FEMA programs varies. FEMA remains committed to supporting the State of Florida and local communities affected by the 2024 hurricanes. More than 1,300 FEMA personnel are still on the ground in Florida, assisting survivors of Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby by processing applications, managing appeals, conducting inspections, and providing recovery information.”

Currently, there are hundreds of displaced residents throughout the Tampa Bay region, many of which will likely never return to their properties. Some still wait substantial damage assessments, while others continue to wait for permits. Meanwhile, insurance companies have denied almost half of storm-related claims.

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(Image credit: Spectrum News)

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