Six months have passed since Hurricane Helene tore through St. Petersburg, leaving destruction in its wake. Yet, for many residents, recovery remains painfully out of reach.

Frustration is mounting as storm survivors struggle to rebuild, tangled in bureaucratic red tape. Many are still unable to return home. Some juggle the financial burden of paying rent for temporary housing while also covering a mortgage on an unlivable property. Others have resorted to living in RVs parked on their lawns.

Carolyn Mourey, a St. Pete resident, has been living in her garage as she waits for the city to approve her permit.

“It’s like we’re being held hostage,” Mourey told local news station WFLA. “I always thought I owned my house, but apparently I don’t. The government owns my house, and they tell me what I can do to it and when.”

She expressed frustration over the delays: “We pay property tax, we pay insurance, and yet we’re stuck waiting for a piece of paper to fix our own homes.”

When asked what she would say to the mayor, Mourey’s response was clear: “Why is it taking so long to get these permits?”

WFLA took that question directly to St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch.

“It’s been six months since Hurricane Helene, and many residents are still waiting for permits to rebuild. What’s causing the delay?” the reporter asked.

Welch defended the city’s efforts, stating, “We’re doing everything we can with permits. Compared to other municipalities, we’re doing very well.”

He noted that the city has added additional staff, including two state employees and six private contractors, to speed up the process. “We’ve processed well over 7,000 permits, and we certainly empathize with those still waiting,” Welch said.

With just over two months until the next hurricane season, residents like Mourey worry whether St. Pete is truly prepared.

“We’re better prepared than ever,” Welch reassured. “We learn from every storm and continue to build resilience.”

However, that resilience comes at a cost.

“I won’t be able to cut the millage rate this year,” Welch admitted. “I’ve cut it every year as mayor, but right now, we need to invest in our city’s future.”

For many St. Pete residents, those investments can’t come soon enough.

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(Image credit: Mike Carlson/AP)

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