Author: Owen E. Richason IV
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Homeowners in St. Pete Beach are experiencing prolonged frustration as they attempt to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with permit processing creating significant roadblocks to recovery. Doug Engle, a four-and-a-half-year resident, has been living in a trailer on his property since a storm surge destroyed his home’s interior. His house remains…
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As the Tampa Bay area works to recover from this year’s historic hurricane season, many homeowners are opting to sell their damaged properties “as is” rather than rebuild. This trend has caught the attention of large investors, who are snapping up these homes in increasing numbers. RELATED: Desperate Floridians Sell Gutted, Storm-Damaged Homes Instead of…
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Residents of the Lantern Travel Park in Hudson in the Tampa Bay area are confronting a dire situation after more than two months without electricity, compounded by potential eviction threats from their landlord. The property management is demanding residents make specific repairs to meet county safety guidelines, conditioning lease renewals on compliance with these requirements.…
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Despite some stabilization in Florida’s volatile property insurance market, homeowners and condo owners are still grappling with some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. An emerging trend sees more individuals choosing to “go bare” by opting out of traditional home insurance in favor of self-insuring, a move that experts view with significant concern.…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread and costly destruction. So, representative Linda Chaney (R.) from St. Pete Beach is pushing for legislative changes to adjust aspects of FEMA’s 50% rule, aiming to facilitate recovery for homeowners. Chaney represents an area where many residents experienced significant damage from the consecutive October storms. Her proposed bill seeks…
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As the Tampa Bay area continues its rebuilding efforts, the permitting process has become a challenging part of the journey for everyone involved—from residents eager to return to their homes to city officials overwhelmed with thousands of applications. In St. Petersburg, some residents have experienced long wait times for permit approval. “[Residents are] frustrated with…
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The car insurance sector is bracing for multibillion-dollar losses due to vehicle damage from recent hurricanes, which could push up insurance rates next year. Eva Kelly-Cubells experienced firsthand the chaos caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as her 2016 Chevy Cruze, along with many others, was submerged. The 86-year-old from Punta Gorda, along with her…
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Homeowners and businesses alike in Tampa’s most vulnerable flood zones are facing a difficult reality after recent hurricanes: they may be required to completely rebuild or substantially modify their properties to meet new flood mitigation standards. The City of Tampa is sending over 1,900 letters to property owners in high-risk areas, including Davis Islands, Palmetto Beach, and…
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Residents of Zephyrhills are preparing to take legal action against their county, alleging mismanagement of water resources and development that has led to significant property damage. Robert Woods, a local property owner, claims he has suffered nearly $60,000 in flood-related damages and believes the county’s water management practices are directly responsible. Woods points to a…
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A recent study conducted by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has shed light on a growing issue for homeowners across the state: permit denials tied to lookback periods. According to the findings, 14.5% of homeowners have faced denial when attempting to pull permits for renovations or repairs due to previous, undocumented changes to…
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An emergency order preventing insurance companies from issuing non-renewal or cancellation notices to policyholders in hurricane-affected areas is set to expire today, Tuesday, December 10. The order, which has been in effect since September 26, offered temporary relief to homeowners in areas impacted by storms. Once it expires, insurance companies may resume their standard practices…
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Homeowners across Tampa Bay, especially those living on Pinellas County beaches, are becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They find themselves unable to start rebuilding their homes due to lengthy waits for permits. “They want to make sure everybody does things the right way, and I’m in full agreement with that,…
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Following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, City of Tampa officials have outlined the next steps as residents and business owners prepare to receive substantial damage assessment letters in the mail. These letters will detail the extent of the damage, which has been estimated based on a visual assessment conducted by city officials in…
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Two months after Hurricane Milton devastated the Tampa Bay area, many residents of St. Pete Beach are still struggling to rebuild due to delays in obtaining necessary repair permits from the city. Property Owners Left in Limbo Robinson Ang, a local property owner, has been waiting for over six weeks to secure a permit to…
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Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Seminole has successfully cleared most debris but acknowledges that significant reconstruction work remains. The local building and permit office has experienced a surge in applications for repair permits. According to Assistant City Manager Vince Tenaglia, Seminole is now offering a $50 reduction on the base fee for…
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Lake Seminole Park, located in Seminole, Florida, is a 258-acre wildlife habitat and sanctuary. Originally a tidal estuary, the lake was created in the 1940s by closing the upper portion of Long Bayou. This transformation turned it into a freshwater lake, making it the second-largest lake in Pinellas County. Over the years, Lake Seminole Park…
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Approximately 15% of Florida homeowners choose to self-insure their properties amid the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis, but experts caution that this option carries significant risks. What Does Self-Insuring Mean? Self-insuring involves setting aside funds in a savings or investment account to cover potential repairs or rebuilding costs instead of purchasing a traditional insurance policy.…
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Rebuilding efforts for Madeira Beach residents, including Yarisi Valero, remain at a standstill more than a month after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. Valero’s home, flooded with over three feet of water, now sits gutted to the studs. Although she removed 45 inches of drywall throughout the house, she’s been unable to move forward without…
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Residents of a prominent neighborhood say they warned officials about flooding concerns well before Hurricane Milton, but now dozens of homes have been devastated. “Inside we had 10 inches of water consistently through the entire first floor,” Omyra Rodriguez said as she gave a tour of her home. “We lost kind of everything on [the]…
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John Henry experienced the full impact of Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented storm surge in St. Pete Beach. “I live on the first floor of the condo,” he shared. “I had almost 5 feet of water in there, so it almost wiped everything out.” Now, more than two months later, Henry is eager to rebuild but finds…
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Since September, Diane Burrill has been unable to serve customers at Wahoo’s Bayside Pub and Grill in Redington Shores. “It’s been the worst thing I’ve ever been through,” Burrill said. “I’ve been without a paycheck for two months now.” Like many businesses on Pinellas County’s beaches, Wahoo’s is still rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene and Milton,…
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FEMA has allocated an additional $114 million in funding for debris removal in the aftermath of the recent hurricane season. This funding is designated for several areas in the Tampa Bay region, including: According to FEMA, the agency has provided $927.6 million for Hurricane Milton, $378.3 million for Hurricane Helene, and $102.4 million for Hurricane…
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The answer depends on whether the tree was healthy or dying. This distinction is crucial due to a legal principle known as an “act of God.” Imagine this: a tree crashes into your home, leaving you with significant damage to repair. If the tree was on your property, you’d need to navigate the insurance claim…
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Some homeowners filing claims through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are discovering that their insurance payouts may fall short of covering all necessary repairs. Andrew Knox of Altieri Insurance Consultants explains that NFIP adjusters often use software to calculate damage repair costs. However, this software sometimes fails to align with industry standards, potentially resulting…
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Residents of several communities say that being without power since Hurricane Helene struck two months ago was inconvenient at first. However, now that temperatures are dipping into the 50s and 40s, they say the situation has become dire as they continue to await power restoration. At some properties, the delay in restoring power involves replacing…
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FEMA was actively looking for property management companies with ready-to-occupy residential or rental properties to help house Floridians affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as late as this past weekend. These properties would support FEMA’s temporary housing efforts in communities impacted by the disasters. RELATED: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Adjust Operating Hours However, the deadline…
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Slow permitting processes and lack of FEMA inspections are pushing some property owners to the brink. Wading through the bureaucracy and waiting for determinations and approvals is tempting more than some to proceed with repairs, even if it isn’t authorized. Wanting to return to normalcy as soon as possible, it’s difficult to resist just going…
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Navigating the aftermath of a storm can be overwhelming. Damage to your home poses challenges not only physically but also emotionally and financially. Many people face the harsh reality of needing to sell their storm-damaged homes but dread the repairs they can’t afford. A critical aspect of this is understanding FEMA’s 50% rule, which complicates…
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Recent flooding from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has inundated virtually every single-story home in St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, many of which had never experienced such damage since their construction in the mid-fifties. For some residents, this harrowing experience was the final straw, prompting a move to higher ground. Others, determined to stay, are…
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Local leaders are eagerly awaiting the rollout of a new state program aimed at helping residents whose homes were left uninhabitable after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In St. Petersburg alone, approximately 16,000 homes sustained damage from the back-to-back storms, leaving the city in dire need of external support. During a committee meeting on Nov. 21,…
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The state of Florida is stepping in to assist beach communities overwhelmed by a surge in permit requests following back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. State Representative Linda Chaney revealed that nearly 700 requests for state support have been submitted, with 83% already fulfilled and the remainder in progress. St. Pete Beach was one of the…
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Suppose the structure value listed on the Property Appraiser’s website (or FEMA letter) does not meet FEMA requirements for repairing your property. Are there alternatives to getting a private appraisal? Yes, depending on your local regulations and policies, you may have other options. Here’s what you can consider: In any case, it’s a good idea…
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Residents in unincorporated Pinellas County will soon receive letters regarding their property’s substantial damage determination. Those living in a flood hazard area who are awaiting their letters can still apply for permits to repair their homes. If residents have a permit application ready and live in the unincorporated part of the county, they are eligible…
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Floridians impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene now have until January 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance. This extension offers more time for homeowners and renters to seek financial aid for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. RELATED: FEMA Extends Deadline for Hurricane Aid Applications…
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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…
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Florida residents impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene now have until January 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance. Eligible homeowners and renters may receive financial aid for displacement, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses that are uninsured or underinsured. How to Apply: For accessible instructions on applying, visit FEMA’s YouTube…
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The deadline to apply for disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for damage caused by Hurricane Helene is Wednesday, November 27. These loans help bridge the gap between what insurance and FEMA cover and what homeowners and business owners can afford, according to SBA spokesperson Julie Garrett. They can also cover insurance deductibles.…
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Two months after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tampa Bay’s coastline, the City of Largo hosted a community meeting on Friday to help residents navigate the rebuilding process. “Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to help neighbors rebuild in compliance with state, local, and federal regulations,” said Largo City Manager John…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed Fort Myers Beach on probation from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), causing concern among residents. “Really, really unfair. Extremely unfair. You know, we should all be treated equally,” said Fort Myers Beach resident Kevin Mahoney. Officials stated that FEMA will also downgrade the town’s Community Rating…
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Following the devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, far too many Florida homeowners are grappling with property insurance claim issues. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis urges those affected to contact his office before seeking outside help for their insurance claims. For Kris Yarborough, the aftermath of the storms has meant seeing decades of hard work and…
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Fort De Soto Park suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with storm surges flooding nearly the entire park. Despite the extensive destruction, Pinellas County officials are diligently working to clean up the park and prepare it for reopening. The park is currently bustling with contractors, volunteers, and employees, all dedicated to restoring the…
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The 2024 hurricane season left its mark on Pinellas County, with many property owners facing significant damage. As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your property and ensure you’re prepared for any future storms. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help Pinellas property owners brace for the upcoming season.…
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Frustration reached a boiling point in St. Pete Beach this week as residents and business owners demanded city leaders accelerate the permitting process for storm-damaged properties after suffering huge losses from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While the gathering at city hall on Tuesday night wasn’t labeled a protest, it was clear that attendees came with…
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The housing market in Florida is facing challenges, and Tampa is no exception, according to a new report from Redfin. Released on Tuesday, the report reveals that the five U.S. cities with the biggest decrease in home sales are all in Florida. In Tampa, home sales dropped by 7.2%, while Fort Lauderdale saw a 15.2%…
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