PROPERTY DAMAGE, FLOODING & RESTORATION
Business Damage Assessment Survey Now Available
The State of Florida has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricane Helene. Completing the survey helps to ensure the appropriate services are available during recovery.
https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey
From Paul Huszar, CEO, president and majority owner of VetCor, a restoration company, in Tampa. https://vetcorservices.com/
Take a deep breath. This too shall pass. We want to help as many people as possible, but we simply won’t be able to assist everyone who needs it. If you can find a reputable contractor, secure them. I’m working on building more capacity, but it will take time.
Here’s some advice if you’ve experienced water intrusion from rising waters:
- Contamination: Everything the water touched is contaminated and must be removed, with the possible exception of items like patio furniture that can be hosed down and left outside. If the water affected your air-conditioned spaces, you cannot live there, as it will impact air quality and your health.
- Insurance: Rising water triggers flood insurance, not homeowners’ insurance. Flood insurance generally doesn’t cover contents and is more limited in scope for restoration work. You will likely need to fund or complete some of the work yourself. Coverage often does not include contents manipulation (such as moving furniture and belongings). Clear out your space so you don’t have to pay the contractor to do it.
- Restoration: Restoration typically requires a “flood cut,” usually four feet above the floor. Everything below that must be removed down to the studs, dried out, treated and then rebuilt. This needs to happen as soon as possible to prevent further damage, such as mold. It’s going to be a mess for a while, and there may not be enough contractor availability. Be patient, find alternative living arrangements and start doing as much as you can yourself.
- Drying out: Interior spaces cannot simply be “dried out.” Using fans will only worsen the problem by circulating contaminated air. All contaminated materials must be removed before drying and the area should be properly ventilated or use air scrubbers. Don’t compromise for short-term savings that could impact long-term health.
For wind-blown rain (such as roof leaks or water entering through windows), homeowners’ insurance typically applies, but a hurricane deductible will be triggered. You still need to dry the area as quickly as possible, but it is generally livable.
From John Mejia, CEO of Mega Service Solutions, in Tampa. Mega Service Solutions is a cleaning services company.
We have portable extractors available if your power has been restored, and a truck-mounted extractor if it hasn’t. Our services include floor cleaning, debris removal, general labor to assist with cleanup, and mold remediation.
We are also collaborating with many local partners to expedite the recovery process.
Business line: 813-501-5002
Cell: 937-307-9337
What residents and businesses can do with beach sand
Many Barrier Island residents and businesses had unprecedented amounts of beach sand deposited onto their properties during Hurricane Helene.
Return the sand to the beach
- Clean sand can be returned to the beach above the high tide line (mean high water line). The sand must not have stains, odors or include debris, and you must not place it over dune plants, turtle nests, storm debris or construction debris.
- If the sand does not meet the criteria above, you must request permission from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (840-245-2094 or email [email protected]). Once you have permission, the same placement restrictions apply. Failure to follow these rules may result in civil penalties.
- If you are using heavy equipment, be cautious of buried water lines and other infrastructure.
Important Restrictions
- Do not put sand in your trash.
- Do not place sand in any right-of-way or push it onto the road.
- Do not attempt to clear public roads. The Public Works department is working on an authorization from Florida Department of Environmental Protection to screen clean sand to remove debris and return it to the beach.
Sea wall damage
If the seaward side of a property’s seawall is exposed, residents should consult a structural engineer or licensed marine contractor before covering the wall with sand. Placing sand on a damaged seawall could cause further and costly damage.
Source: Pinellas County Government
DONATIONS & NONPROFIT HELP
Metropolitan Ministries:
After the storm surge from Hurricane Helene, hundreds of families are flooded out of their homes and have come to Metro seeking aid.
Right now, we need immediate help, as our resources are strained.
Please give your most generous gift possible to provide urgent disaster relief, including food, water and other emergency supplies for those who have been affected by this destructive storm.
From United Way Suncoast:
After any disaster, United Way Suncoast focuses on mid- and long-term recovery, but we also recognize that some community members may need immediate relief. We are activating our Disaster Recovery Services Resource Page to provide information for those in need of help.
In times of disaster, every United Way diligently works to organize resources, connect those in need with those who can help, coordinate volunteer efforts, bridge communication, and leverage relationships to ensure our neighbors receive the support they need to recover. Several areas in our five-county footprint have experienced severe flooding, and the property damage is extensive. We are working with partners to craft a plan for mid- and long-term recovery.
Our webpage has resources with links for:
- Our Disaster Recovery Fund https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/donations-together-we-recover/ Donations will support disaster relief efforts areas across our five-county footprint.
- Volunteer opportunities posted as they are reported to us
- FEMA Assistance – FEMA Assistance is now available in 18 Florida counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota. You can go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362.
- County-specific resources for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, & DeSoto
- Free Disaster cleanup – Crisis Cleanup has created a Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386.
- If you need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene, call the number and ask for help. It will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with: muck, trees, tarp and debris. Services are free but not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Oct. 11.
From Leadership Tampa Bay:
The Leadership Tampa Bay Foundation is collecting funds to provide grants to our Leadership Tampa Bay family members who were affected by Hurricane Helene.
If you are a Leadership Tampa Bay alumni or current class member in need of support, please contact Alice Bessette, executive director. The foundation will start allocating funds to those in need as soon as possible.
From Rotary District 6890:
The eight Florida Rotary districts are working together to coordinate relief efforts with Disaster Aid USA. Please go to https://rotaryfl.org/ to ask for help, to donate or volunteer. Click on the D6890 button to link up with our district’s disaster relief efforts, including our District Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.
District disaster relief coordinators are Bernie Rush from Auburndale Rotary ([email protected] 863-660-2099) and Levi Stovall from Lakeland Sunrise Rotary ([email protected] 863-617-1809).
Fill out the volunteer form on rotaryfl.org to provide hands-on support.
From Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Ventures Partners:
Hello. I am Scott Kelly, the CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners. I am also a recent resident of Treasure Island, one of the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Although I lost my home to flooding, I don’t need your financial support, but my friends and neighbors do.
I am asking my network of angel investors, venture capital firms, startups and partners to help me help them by making a tax-deductible donation via this GoFundMe page.
From Clearwater Marine Aquarium:
During Hurricane Helene, Clearwater Marine Aquarium was flooded with more than 4 feet of water. We also lost power for an extended period, and vital equipment, including our life support systems, was damaged by the saltwater. Our facilities team has been working diligently to make repairs and get everything operational as quickly as possible.
As a precaution, our two manatee patients, Yeti and Zamboni, were safely transported Saturday morning from CMA back to ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Once CMA’s systems are fully operational, we will coordinate with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to determine when the manatees will return to CMA.
Sea turtles in rehabilitation will also be temporarily transferred to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, in Boca Raton.
All other resident animals are safe, and some have been moved within the facility to ensure their security while we address impacts to their habitats.
Clearwater Beach is still assessing damage and working on cleanup. Access through the Memorial Causeway remains limited while Clearwater Beach is closed. CMA will stay closed during this time until we can safely reopen.
We greatly appreciate the support of our partners across Florida, and our hearts go out to everyone affected throughout Tampa Bay and other areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
You can help support our animal care and recovery efforts by donating today at our website at cmaquariu.org or https://brnw.ch/21wNgPT.
From the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay:
Community Foundation Tampa Bay has launched its Hurricane Helene relief efforts at www.CFTampaBay.org/helene/.
Over the coming days, the Community Foundation is expecting local nonprofits to see a spike in demand from people in our community. This need for assistance may last for weeks, or months, as we saw after Hurricanes Idalia and Ian.
To help, the Community Foundation Tampa Bay is:
– Expanding its Critical Needs List criteria to include support for nonprofits undertaking local recovery efforts in Hurricane Helene’s wake. Anyone can see the directory at https://cftampabay.org/criticalneedslist/ and donate directly to these organizations. You can click on the button that says “Hurricane Helene related” to see only Hurricane-related requests as they’re received from nonprofits. Nonprofits can also submit their requests for assistance to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay this way.
– Activating the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund, which is a trusted and reliable way to make tax-deductible donations to address emergency situations in our community, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The link is https://cftampabay.org/give_now/rapidresponse/. The donations will be distributed to nonprofits in our community that are addressing emergency needs.
In addition, the Community Foundation Tampa Bay has provided several trusted resources to help in Florida’s most-impacted areas. Viewers can go to https://cftampabay.org/helene/ to access the list.
From Feeding Tampa Bay:
We’re here each day to support our neighbors who are struggling; however, in the aftermath of a storm, we must move beyond our normal support to help individuals and families who have never had to access our services before.
As you’ve seen before, the path forward after such an event can be uncertain. But one thing is sure: we’re here to provide the resources our community needs to recover and rebuild – from emergency distributions with food, water and flood kits to our expanded meal production capabilities to hosting a recovery resource hub on-site at Causeway Center in collaboration with community partners.
Feeding Tampa Bay and our Disaster Readiness team are FEMA-trained and prepared to handle disaster situations. In partnership with the Tampa Bay area Emergency Operations Centers, we work directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water and hygiene items to our service area, state and neighboring states during crises. https://feedingtampabay.org/ways-we-serve/disaster-relief
From the Tampa Bay Chamber:
| The Tampa Bay Chamber has compiled resources on its Public Health & Safety page to assist members impacted by the Hurricanes. The chamber is encouraging affected members to review this information and utilize the available support. https://www.tampabaychamber.com/pages/health-safety/ |
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is not a full, exhaustive list. TBBW is actively monitoring alerts, and releases, from local government entities, organizations and contacts to provide as much information as we can, as quickly as we can. Please email Jo-Lynn Brown, at [email protected] with your updates and those will be added, following review, as quickly as possible. – Thank You, #TampaBayStrong #FloridaStrong
