Weathering the Storms, Together
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area on September 26, one of the strongest and deadliest storms ever to hit the southeastern United States. A once-in-a-lifetime storm.
Less than two weeks later, the second strongest hurricane ever recorded in Gulf of Mexico hit just south of Sarasota, near Siesta Key.
Few of us in the Bay Area were completely untouched. If it wasn’t our family or our home, it was someone we love or work alongside. It was the shared hurt of knowing a block, a neighborhood, a business, a community, that would simply never be the same.
The aftermath of Helene in St. Pete – a storm over 100 miles away – was a tale of two cities: those on the coast were devastated, while homes and businesses further inland seemed largely spared. But while Helene’s surge proved overwhelming, Milton’s rain flooded, and winds ravaged roofs, vulnerable properties, and vegetation. The storm felled 100-year-old oaks like seedlings.
After two devastating hurricanes, most of the Old Northeast’s historic homes were spared the worst. Though the tree canopy will never be quite the same, in time it will be renewed and recovered. Far worse was the fate of those on the coast, and our neighbors in Snell Isle and Shore Acres, who will be living with the aftermath of these storms for months and years.
Helene pushed an unprecedented surge of over six feet of water into homes and businesses on the coast, with many self-reporting even higher inundation. According to Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, over 80% of Shore Acres homes were flooded. “I’ve lived in the neighborhood since 1986,” Batdorf told News Channel 8 in October. “I’ve seen many storms. I’ve been through several flooding events. Helene was…more flooding than I’ve ever seen.”
The morning after Helene, the city reported over 70 rescues during the storm, with search-and rescue boats deployed to coastal areas including Shore Acres, Snell Isle, and Venetian Shores. Media outlets around the world reported on the massive evacuation efforts and daring rescues on the Pinellas coast even as the storm headed well north.
As soon as it was safe to go outside, however, the helpers emerged. Canoes and kayaks came out in flooded areas, checking on neighbors. Folks sawed tree limbs, helped repair fences, brought water, shared generators – and within days, volunteers canvassed neighborhoods and apartment complexes to deliver necessities and help to those without. In many cases, St. Pete’s worse storm in 100 years brought out the best.
Then came Milton. Tired, sweaty, and still heartbroken from Helene, the helpers showed up again. Trying to clear debris and secure homes and businesses for yet another epic storm seemed too large a task, but only hours before Milton hit, caravans of dump trucks were still hurrying to move Helene’s debris before it could become projectiles. Neighbors helped neighbors – who had only just moved their sandbags and taken down their shutters – prepare for yet another unthinkable storm.
Milton proved to be proverbial insult to injury. After Helene, my wife and I, who live in a block home in Evacuation Zone E, were alarmed enough to head to the east coast. All of my family evacuated, but those I love who stayed behind texted a frightening tale of wind and water. From more than 200 miles away, I’ve never felt more helpless. My closest friends were just a block away from the crane that fell on the Times building; another friend’s sister works at a desk that was destroyed by it.
But what do you do when the storm finally clears? For many in the community, the answer was: Get back out and help.
Food trucks and neighbors, along with international nonprofit World Central Kitchen, came out to feed folks who struggled with basic needs; the city and county opened comfort stations in the wake of unprecedented power outages, a city-wide boil-water notice, and sewer outages. Some residents with power put out extension cords and chargers for anyone who needed them. As people scrambled to get supplies to the community, individuals, orgs, and businesses, like Islander Market in Shore Acres and 3 Daughters Brewing, set up collection centers for days on end.
“Literally every hour there are five or 10 or 15 people coming by to drop things off and there is another truck load going out,” Mike Harting, founder of 3 Daughters Brewing, told ABC News.
The county estimates nearly 50,000 homes were damaged in the combined storms, with nearly 1000 completely destroyed. That has left a dearth of ready, affordable housing in an already challenging market. It’s far from an easy fix, but once again, helpers have stepped in, whether it’s neighbors offering guest rooms and houses to those in need, or AirBnBs, extended county shelters, and FEMA.
More than 150,000 Pinellas residents have applied for FEMA assistance in some form or another. Officials are working to spread the word that FEMA can help with far-ranging needs, from replacing food lost in a power outage to hotel reimbursement, flood damages and finding longer-term housing. The key, of course, is patience.
As St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch noted, rebuilding will be a long process for many of our communities.
“We’ve seen widespread damage from homes to businesses, to our beautiful neighborhoods,” he noted in a video message on October 27. “And I know many of you are still grappling with all of the effects. My thoughts are with each of you as we work through this challenging time together. Our city teams have been working tirelessly on recovery efforts. From clearing roads and restoring power, to helping those who’ve been displaced. Our priority remains to get St. Pete back on her feet, as quickly and as safely as possible.”
The city’s temporary new “normal” also means piles of vegetation and mountains of ruined belongings lining many city streets. St. Pete Police even released a message for kids to Trick-or-Treating safely around debris piles, while some resilient residents simply incorporated the spooky piles into their Halloween décor.
The piles are a nuisance, however, and one the city is working on. Welch, who noted in his message, “My street is like your street; my debris pile is still there,” assured residents that the city expects to take 90 days “in total before cleanup is fully complete.”
Simply put, the job is massive. Two weeks after Milton, the city’s debris contractors reported clearing more than 200,000 cubic yards of debris, “twice as much as Hurricanes Idalia and Ian combined.” By late October, the city estimated it had “removed 850 trees and 2,000 hazardous limbs from streets and alleyways.”
“Please be patient with us, St. Pete,” noted the mayor. “We’re working non-stop, and we’ve brought in additional crews to speed up the process. And we will not stop until the job is done.” Residents can check the clean-up progress on the city-launched interactive map on the city’s website, stpete.org.
The city’s website offers a wealth of tools for residents facing storm recovery, and those who just want to help. The city also partnered with the Pinellas Community Foundation to launch the We Are St. Pete Fund. According to the city, the fund will assist in “disaster relief for residents, small businesses, and City of St. Petersburg employees recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Donors may designate their gifts. 100% of the donations received will directly support those impacted.”
In the words of Mayor Welch, “I urge everyone to stay safe, look out for your neighbors, and reach out for assistance if you need it. Together we’ll rebuild and come back stronger than ever. Thank you, St. Pete. Stay strong.”
On Lost Trees
Lamenting the loss of some of our most beloved trees has been a common refrain in the aftermath of the hurricanes. For over 50 years this magnificent tree stood at the corner of 8th Avenue and North Shore Drive, providing shade to the Westminster Palms residents and a haven for the birds and squirrels that called it home. However, it could not withstand the furious winds of Hurricane Milton and gave up the fight to stay upright, toppling onto the street and blocking traffic. Later that day, city crews were able cut away some of the branches to open the road. A couple of days later, it was removed, but its stump stands as a reminder of this destructive storm. – Mary Fletcher
Need Help, Give Help
Many of the programs here also accept volunteers or donations to benefit hurricane victims. Check their websites for details.
Food Assistance
Feeding Tampa Bay: Volunteer opportunities and food distribution services, at feedingtampabay.org/ways-we-serve/disaster-relief
St. Pete Free Clinic: thespfc.org
Reach St. Pete: reachstpete.org
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Eligible households may qualify for additional benefits during disaster recovery. Find more at fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program.
Small Businesses
More than ever, small businesses need our help. Back-to-back storms – and the massive upheaval of loss and displacement for so many – has been particularly hard on the smaller entrepreneurs Bay area. Whether it’s going out to dinner, popping into shop, or grabbing an extra pastry from the local baker, every little bit will help local businesses get back on their feet.
SBA Loans: Small businesses in Pinellas County may be eligible for Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. More information at lending.sba.gov.
Financial Help
Unemployment Assistance: If you lost your job due to the storms, you may be eligible for benefits. More at floridajobs.org.
Florida Disaster Fund: Provides financial assistance to Floridians impacted by natural disasters. Apply for help or donate at volunteerflorida.org/hurricanes-helene-milton
FEMA
FEMA Assistance Applications deadlines:
– Hurricane Helene: Nov. 27
– Hurricane Milton: Dec. 11
Here are four ways to apply for FEMA assistance:
– Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
– Use FEMA app, downloadable for free from your smartphone
– Call 1-800-621-3362
– Apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you; text DRC and your zip code to 43362 to find one.
Disaster Recovery for Historic Homes
National Trust for Historic Preservation offers resources for the unique challenges of disaster recovery for older and historic homes and buildings. Visit savingplaces.org/disaster-recovery
Housing Help
HOPE Florida focuses on short-term (6-month) placement and transitioning disaster survivors into longer-term housing. Visit hopeflorida.com or call the Hope Florida support line at 833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673).
Legal Help
Residents with legal issues caused by hurricanes Milton, Helene, or Debby can contact the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at 833-514-2940 or Bay Area Legal Services at (800) 625-2257.
Mental Health Resources
Disaster Distress Helpline: 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990, or visit samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.
Care About Me: Pinellas County’s access line for mental health, substance use, and addiction services, helps residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis find local services. Call or text 1-888-431-1998 or chat on careaboutme.org.
988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Help for anyone experiencing trauma or in need of support. Call or text 988.
Find many more resources at floridadisaster.org, stpete.org, and pinellas.gov/emergency-information.
