Tag: hurricanes
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The Pinellas County Government is reminding people through social media it’s possible to appeal a FEMA decision if applicants are denied disaster assistance. Here’s what you need to know: Appealing FEMA’s Decision for Disaster Assistance If you’ve applied for FEMA assistance and received a decision letter, you have the right to appeal if you disagree…
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After Hurricane Milton struck Brandon on October 9, Vietnam veteran Charles “Dan” Jackson found himself living without electricity when a fallen tree damaged his home’s electrical box. For over 15 weeks, he relied on the kindness of neighbors and recently received crucial help from local organizations to move toward full power restoration. “I was existing,…
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The Beach Theater in St. Pete Beach is marking its 85th anniversary, despite having been closed for over a decade. Renovations are progressing, with the theater still a few months from reopening. Over the weekend, visitors were treated to a preview of the ongoing work. Owner Hannah Hockman shared her passion for the project, highlighting…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton did far more than damage homes and businesses. The storms also ravaged other things. For instance, the grassroots organization, Take MAR, is on a mission to restore greenery to Bay Area communities by replanting trees lost to the storms. Take MAR President Tara Hubbard says their efforts have been ongoing for…
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Gulfport residents are raising alarms about significant changes reshaping their community while they struggle to recover, months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated their town. When floodwaters surged from the Gulfport Marina, the district neighborhood suffered widespread damage. More than twelve weeks later, longtime resident Marie Lamarre says many of her neighbors have yet to…
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St. Pete Beach is calling for volunteers to help alleviate a backlog that’s preventing storm victims from rebuilding their homes. Blue tarps and sandbags cover numerous rooftops in the Bahia Shores neighborhood, a stark reminder of Hurricane Helene’s impact last fall. The remnants of destruction are still visible as residents await their permits, three months…
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The Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum suffered significant damage to several invaluable artifacts due to floodwaters from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. The museum’s board is now evaluating each artifact while also focusing on repairing the building itself. “This place is a mess, but it’s where we’re keeping the treasures we’ve managed…
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Numerous St. Petersburg residents have reported receiving shockingly high water bills in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “I was absolutely shocked when I saw the bill was around $4,500,” exclaimed St. Pete local Miles Hitchcock. Details: Following the hurricanes, Hitchcock was slapped with a water bill of $4,500, which was roughly 20 times…
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With nearly $1 billion in agricultural damage from three hurricanes last year, Florida farmers are facing an uphill battle as federal relief remains out of reach. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is calling on state lawmakers to step in, requesting $50 million to support farmers through low- or no-interest loans to address hurricane-related losses. The federal…
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Even months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the psychological impact on children could still be significant, according to Dr. Steve O’Brien, a Clinical Child Psychologist in Tampa Bay. “Children really grasp that this is now a part of their reality, and unfortunately, they’ll see these events as even more likely than they might have before,”…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to terminate its transitional shelter assistance for families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, effective Tuesday. This decision affects those who FEMA has determined no longer qualify for the program. Details on Affected Individuals: Approximately 47,000 residents of Florida have been residing in hotels and motels since…
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The City of New Port Richey has issued a stop work order on four apartment units for violating city ordinances for repairs done after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. WFTS reporter Michael Paluska first investigated this story following a tip from a tenant. When he initially met with Justin Kearns at his apartment, they noticed buckets…
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St. Petersburg is set to commence repairs on Albert Whitted Airport, over three months after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to the publicly owned facility. On January 9, City Council members unanimously approved a $1.2 million contract to start the demolition and removal of damaged hangars. Crews are scheduled to begin constructing the 2025 Firestone…
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Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) is urging the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to expedite the reopening of two post office locations in her district that have remained closed for months following damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Rep. Castor called for action to restore operations at the Ruskin…
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday plans for a special legislative session to begin January 27, focusing on hurricane recovery efforts and other policy priorities. Key Agenda Items The special session will address multiple issues: Hurricane Recovery Condominium Reform Education Policy “We don’t have the ability to just sit around and wait with a new…
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Thousands of families remain displaced following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. To help these residents secure temporary or permanent housing, the city of St. Petersburg is partnering with the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA) to host a Hurricane Recovery Rental Housing Fair. This event will serve as a one-stop resource, connecting families with local housing providers.…
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The Tampa City Council is poised to review a $3 million initiative aimed at supporting hurricane victims, including residents like Belina Trask, who has been struggling to restore her home in Forest Hills since the hurricanes hit. In 2025, Trask recounted her ordeal to WFLA News, “Half the house flooded.” Like many others, Trask turned…
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Over 100 days after Hurricane Helene struck, many Pinellas County residents remain displaced, with some living in damaged, unfinished homes while awaiting permits to rebuild. Local news channel WFLA brought these concerns to federal officials, but the responsibility appears to be shifting back to the county. As colder months set in, homeowners are growing frustrated…
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Mayor Ken Welch has emphasized the necessity for agile resilience since consecutive hurricanes wreaked havoc in September and October. St. Petersburg has decided to invest in a deployable flood wall and waterproof sewer infrastructure. The City Council unanimously endorsed these measures during their Thursday afternoon session. The city aims to have a custom-made AquaFence, an…
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Municipalities along Tampa Bay’s coast are still grappling with the damage assessment process, and in some cases, homeowners are receiving conflicting letters. Earlier this week, Spectrum Bay News 9 also spoke with a St. Pete Beach resident who received contradictory letters, and now an Indian Rocks Beach resident is facing the same issue. Storm surge…
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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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This week, a major Florida citrus grower announced it will discontinue its citrus operations, highlighting the challenges faced by the state’s iconic crops due to hurricanes and tree diseases. Alico Inc. revealed on Monday that it plans to wind down its citrus operations after harvesting the current crop later this year. Approximately 3,400 acres (1,376…
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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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Florida’s Department of Emergency Management has introduced an innovative artificial intelligence alert system called Beacon just in time for the upcoming hurricane season. Communication is crucial before, during, and after storms, and this system is designed to keep the public informed even when traditional power sources fail. Florida is now home to a pioneering alert…
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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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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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