Tag: Hurricane Helene
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Kim Zetta claims she received only $52,000 for her insurance claim, despite a public adjuster estimating the damages to exceed $300,000. The struggle to return home after Hurricanes Helene and Milton continues for many in the Tampa Bay area, including a St. Petersburg resident who feels her insurance company has underpaid her claim. She contacted…
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St. Petersburg is set to receive over $160 million to bolster its resilience against future storms, aid local businesses, and assist residents still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. However, Amy Foster, the city’s housing and neighborhood services administrator, indicated during a city council committee meeting on Thursday that the disbursement of these funds could…
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Aid might soon be available for Tampa residents still reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. During Thursday’s meeting, the Tampa City Council is set to discuss updates on funding that could assist with mortgage payments, insurance deductibles, and other recovery expenses. Councilman Luis Viera highlighted that this aid would be particularly beneficial for residents in…
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It’s not just Florida. Hurricane Helene inflicted widespread damage across other states. North Carolina was hit hard in particular. Some communities in the Tar Heel State. Much like the Sunshine State, the southern territory suffered enormous losses. Sebastian Sarellano Paez was eating Cheerios when the floodwaters began rising around his family’s Swannanoa home. The 17-year-old…
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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…
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Families hit hard by the storms face yet another major setback. Many have not been able to return to their homes, and now a looming deadline could force them to pack their bags once again. Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s surge left several Treasure Island communities in shambles. The City of Treasure Island is dealing with…
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The deadline to apply for FEMA aid for hurricane relief is today, January 7. Residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton need to submit their applications before the end of the day. FEMA representatives have been assisting residents through the application process for months. According to FEMA representative Belinda Borrero, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) offer…
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The deadline to apply for FEMA aid is fast approaching. Applications for assistance from hurricanes Helene and Milton are due by Tuesday, January 7. FEMA representatives have been assisting residents for months. According to FEMA representative Belinda Borrero, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) offer personalized assistance. “Since we have so many survivors, that’s why we have…
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After dealing with flooding fatigue, a Madeira Beach couple, Phillip Ragan and Mary Barker, have become experts on raising their house to mitigate the constant threat of flooding. The couple moved into their dream home in 2002, but after years of dealing with flooding, they decided to explore raising their house in 2020. They began…
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The financial toll from the unprecedented hurricane season in the area is staggering, equivalent to spending $100,000 daily for nearly 67 consecutive years. Cathie Perkins, emergency management director for Pinellas County, provided preliminary year-end cost estimates, reporting a total damage bill of $2.434 billion from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. However, Commissioner Kathleen Peters expects…
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As the new year begins, Treasure Island residents continue grappling with challenges left in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Months after the storms, many homeowners are still awaiting permits to repair their damaged properties, while others face an even more frustrating hurdle: inaccurate damage assessments. Residents have raised concerns about substantial discrepancies in…
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The north and south Coquina boat ramps in Anna Maria are once again open to the public. The north end of the ramps just reopened this Tuesday. Manatee County officials stated that hurricanes Helene and Milton significantly impacted both ramps. The county has completed repairs to the ramp infrastructure to ensure safety and usability. Scott…
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To qualify for a $30,000 grant aimed at hurricane-related home repairs, Pinellas County homeowners must submit their claim to FEMA by January 7. The Hurricane Home Repair Program, designed to assist with storm damage not covered by insurance or FEMA, has no application deadline itself but requires homeowners to have processed their insurance claims and…
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Navigating FEMA’s ‘Substantially Damaged’ Designation Appeals Numerous residents on barrier islands and coastal areas have received notifications from local community development officials stating that their homes are deemed irreparable within flood zones due to extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. RELATED: What Is a Substantial Damage Determination Letter and Is It Necessary for a…
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The Dunedin Marina remains closed following significant damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Repairs are estimated to exceed $10 million, and city leaders are considering the possibility of modernizing the marina as part of the restoration process. Currently, much of the marina is fenced off, including areas with a collapsed seawall that require replacement.…
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In a striking new video released by FOX 13 News Tampa, viewers can now witness the full scope of the damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton across the Tampa Bay area from an aerial perspective. The footage, captured by Tampa police helicopters, showcases significant flooding and structural impacts in neighborhoods like Shore Acres and…
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Following the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of St. Petersburg will commence the final citywide debris pickup on Friday, January 3rd. All remaining storm debris should be placed in the right of way by this date. City leaders made the announcement on Friday. Residents are advised to bring any remaining debris items…
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Pinellas County residents are increasingly frustrated as they endure prolonged waits for permits and approvals to rebuild their homes following the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In Crystal Beach, a community nestled beside the Gulf of Mexico, many homes remain in disrepair. Some residents, whose properties are just steps away from the water, are…
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Homeowners and renters who experienced damages or losses due to Hurricanes Milton or Helene can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. If you’ve already applied for assistance after Hurricane Helene but have sustained additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you must submit a separate application for Milton, including the dates of the new damage. FEMA can assist…
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Pinellas County has introduced a new tool this week to assist with storm recovery efforts. This tool is an online map designed for residents in unincorporated areas of the county, allowing them to view their substantial damage letters as soon as they are available, bypassing the wait for postal delivery. “As of today, we’ve actually…
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At the Dec. 11 commission meeting, numerous residents from Madeira Beach and nearby areas advocated for the reopening of the John’s Pass jetty. The sentiment has continued since then, especially among local businesses who benefit from it. The jetty was closed due to safety concerns after sustaining damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with the…
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Many Gulfport residents are making progress in returning to their hurricane-damaged homes with the help of new “minor repair” permits issued by the city. In line with FEMA regulations, the city is providing these permits to help property owners make their homes livable, even while they await permits for major repairs and rebuilding. Starting Monday,…
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Hundreds of Pinellas County residents are receiving letters stating their structures are substantially damaged, forcing them to make crucial decisions about their properties. County officials urge homeowners to challenge these letters and seek a new evaluation, especially with the FEMA 50% rule in play, which determines repair limits based on damage extent. John Richter, among…
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The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria has resumed operations after a closure initiated by Hurricane Helene. “I was more devastated for the family and friends dealing with this ordeal. It’s been tough, and many of us were in shock,” shared waitress Noel Burke, who has served at the restaurant for over six years and started…
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Pinellas County’s tourism industry demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2024, welcoming 15.4 million visitors and generating $11.2 billion in revenue despite facing significant weather challenges. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater reports that the destination recorded 4 million visitors and 4 million hotel room nights booked throughout the year. “St. Pete-Clearwater proved that it is one of the top…
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Many homeowners in the Tampa Bay area are still displaced following recent hurricanes, stuck in a frustrating wait for property appraisals on their damaged homes. For those who’ve gotten their assessments, the outcome is often disappointing, with valuations coming in far lower than expected, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Jeff Fuller, a homeowner…
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The combined impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has inflicted an estimated $136 million in damages across Pinellas County, according to local officials. This figure is expected to rise as detailed assessments continue. More than two months after the devastating storms, thousands of residents remain displaced, awaiting final damage evaluations and approval for rebuilding. Pinellas…
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management or FDEM proudly introduces Florida’s inaugural Statewide Residential Mitigation Program, Elevate Florida. This initiative aims to bolster community resilience by protecting private residences from natural hazards. Eligible Project Types The following project types are eligible under the Statewide Residential Mitigation Program: Next Steps Details on how and when to…
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Residents of Treasure Island filled a town hall meeting Wednesday night, expressing their frustration over the delays in returning to their homes since Hurricane Helene struck in September. Many attendees voiced their concerns about the slow issuance of substantial damage letters and repair permits. “This is completely unacceptable that 90 days after the hurricanes, we’re…
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Davis Islands, which suffered significant storm surge damage from Hurricane Helene, is slowly but surely returning to normalcy. Island Pizza, owned by John Harr, resumed operations shortly after the hurricanes passed. Harr, a local businessman for 15 years, has owned the pizzeria for the past 12 years. “The people here are super nice. It’s its…
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On Tuesday evening, Pinellas County commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of funding the new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays Stadium. Despite the approval, questions remain about whether the team will follow through with the deal. Commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer voted against the funding, while Chris Latvala and Dave Eggers, who had previously opposed…
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Numerous families in the Tampa Bay region are experiencing significant delays in returning to their residences post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton, caught between waiting for permits and grappling with a scarcity of rebuilding supplies. The demand has left contractors scrambling for basic construction materials such as drywall, paint, and framing supplies. “We’re forced to visit multiple…
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Ft. DeSoto Park, a cherished recreational spot for many, faces an uncertain future despite significant efforts to restore it after severe damage from recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The park has already seen $12 million invested in tree removal alone, yet challenges remain as it strives to return to normalcy, one county employee, familiar with…
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Residents of Largo, who were flooded out during recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, are set to voice their concerns to city leaders later today. Some homeowners claim that the city’s actions have led to their properties being flooded. Felicia Ogilby, a 19-year resident of the McKay Creek neighborhood, described the devastation: “Everybody lost everything. You…
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If you’re feeling frustrated waiting to repair your home after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, you’re not alone. Many are still in limbo, waiting for permits to begin their home repairs and return to normalcy. State Representative Linda Chaney, a resident of St. Pete Beach, warns that starting repairs without the proper permits can have serious…
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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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Pinellas County has announced an extension to the application deadline for emergency storm repairs to docks and seawalls damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The new deadline is February 10, 2025. Residents and business owners affected by these hurricanes now have additional time to request applications and complete necessary repairs to their waterfront structures.…
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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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St. Petersburg has made significant progress in clearing debris from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, collecting an unprecedented 1,844,137 cubic yards of vegetative and construction debris as of December 9. Mayor Ken Welch anticipates the total will exceed 2 million cubic yards, surpassing the debris volumes from Hurricanes Idalla, Ian, and Irma combined. To put the…
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The Seminole City Council finalized an ordinance on December 3 to reduce permit and plan review fees for residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City Manager Ann Toney-Deal confirmed that the fee reductions would remain in effect until January 13, 2025. Although an earlier proposal suggested December 31, 2024, as the end date, the…
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In the midst of the busiest time of year for the United States Postal Service, over half a dozen post offices in the Tampa Bay area remain closed due to damage from consecutive hurricanes. Customers are growing frustrated with the lack of a clear timeline for reopening. Jim Reatherford, a long-time user of a P.O.…
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