Residents of mobile home communities in Dunedin are voicing their concerns after receiving “substantial damage” letters from Pinellas County, following the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in late 2024. The letters, sent to homeowners in flood zones, indicate that their properties have sustained damage exceeding 50% of their market value, triggering strict rebuilding requirements under county regulations.

For many, like 80-year-old retiree Linda Taylor, the letters have added to the stress of an already difficult recovery. Taylor’s home at the Lake Haven Mobile Home Park was flooded with over two feet of water during the storms, destroying most of her possessions. “I’m on a fixed income, and now they’re telling me I might have to elevate my home or tear it down and start over,” she told WTSP. The county’s rules mandate that homes with substantial damage in flood zones must be elevated to meet current flood elevation standards, a costly process that many residents say they cannot afford.

The letters are part of a standard post-disaster assessment process required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which aims to ensure future resilience in flood-prone areas. However, residents argue the assessments fail to account for their financial realities. “I’ve lived here 20 years, and now I might lose everything because I can’t afford to rebuild the way they want,” another resident, John Martinez explained to WTSP.

Pinellas County officials have acknowledged the residents’ frustrations and are working to provide clarity. The county has scheduled community meetings to explain the requirements and explore potential assistance options, such as grants or low-interest loans. “We understand this is a difficult situation,” a county spokesperson said. “Our goal is to help residents navigate this process while ensuring safety and compliance with federal guidelines.”

For now, residents like Taylor and Martinez are left grappling with uncertainty, weighing their limited options as they try to rebuild their lives after the storms. Many hope for more support from the county to avoid being displaced from the homes and community they’ve long called home.

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