Hurricane Information (original) (raw)

Regular Solid Waste Collection and Storm Debris Collection

Solid Waste services has resumed for garbage and recycling collection. Yard waste and regular SWEEP collection are suspended at this time. The City of Tampa Solid Waste Department has begun the collection of storm debris. Storm debris includes vegetative, household items and construction debris created due to the damaging effects of Hurricane Helene.

Residents that are ready for storm debris collection immediately may request collection by calling the City of Tampa Solid Waste Call Center at 813-274-8811 or online at https://tampaconnect.com. For customers requiring additional time for assessment and removal of vegetative-storm debris, and damaged household items, the official collection will begin on Monday, October 7, 2024. As of this date, call in requests will not be required. Crews will canvas each neighborhood within City of Tampa limits and collect storm related debris from the curb.

Additionally, the McKay Bay Transfer Station is extending its operating hours to accommodate the increased debris. City of Tampa residents can dispose of accepted items at no additional charge. See a full list of accepted items and disposal requirements. Extended McKay Bay Transfer Station hours starting Monday, September 30, 2024:

• Monday through Friday: 7 am – 7 pm
• Saturday: 7 am – 3:30 pm

Tampa's Emergency Hotline

The Tampa's Emergency Hotline has been reactivated to answer residents' questions regarding Hurricane Helene recovery. Call 1 (833) TPA-INFO(872-4636). Operating hours:

September 30: 4 pm - 8 pm
October 1: 12 pm - 8 pm

FEMA Assistance Available

FEMA assistance now available to City of Tampa residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene - financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Apply online at https://DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app or 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

FEMA Opens a Disaster Recovery Center in Hillsborough County – Residents will receive one-on-one help from FEMA representatives, where they can ask questions, get help with applying for assistance, etc.

Center Location:

Hillsborough County
Hillsborough Community College - The Regent
6437 Watson Rd.
Riverview, FL 33578
Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Comfort Stations Now Open

Two comfort centers are now open in two of our hardest hit neighborhoods. They are providing free food (lunch and dinner), resources, restrooms, showers, water, ice, and laundry services to those in need. They are now open daily from 7am - 7pm until further notice.

DeSoto Park: 2617 Corrine St.
Marjorie Park: 97 Columbia Dr.

These comfort center sites also include pop-up permit centers for expedited permit review for select permits and inspections related to storm damage repair. City of Tampa Permitting staff are onsite to answer questions and guide residents through the necessary processes.

Free Laundry Assistance

In partnership with Current Initiatives, free laundry assistance will be available for City of Tampa residents on October 1 at Wash Zone (5235 South Dale Mabry Highway) from 11:00am-2:00pm.

Beware of Contractor Scams

After a disaster, qualified contractors are usually in high demand. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may take advantage of Floridians in need of expert service.

If you have been approached to have work done on or at your home, you can check if that individual is licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or by going to myfloridalicense.com.

If property is damaged from the storm, the Florida Attorney General’s Office offers these tips when hiring a contractor:

Insurance evaluation - Ensure repair work will be covered under your insurance policy. Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs.
Estimates – Obtain at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs
Bogus offers - Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job
Do your research – To check on a company’s reputation, look for references online or ask a friend. Also check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured, and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation or by calling the Florida Attorney General’s Office at (866) 9NO-SCAM.
Bonded - Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency
Read the fine print – Although it may be daunting, read the entire contract before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation.
Liens - Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who have not been paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will remain on the title.
Deposits and final payment - Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront and be wary before providing large deposits. Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.

Safety Tips for After a Flood

Return home only when officials have declared the area safe. Use caution before entering your home: look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks and other damage.
If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report them to the power company.
If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
Cleaning products, paint, batteries and fuel containers have the potential to be hazardous. Please check with local authorities for assistance with disposal.
Keep an eye out for animals such as snakes, possums and raccoons that may have moved into your evacuated home, as they often look for relief from floodwaters.
If you drive an electric vehicle and there are floodwaters around your home, do not drive through it. If water gets into the battery, it could potentially cause a fire.

Dealing with Damage in your home

As soon as it's safe to return home, contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim. Photograph and list all damaged items including their age and value.
Insurance adjusters will need evidence of damage to prepare an estimate, so take photos of water in your house, including structural, personal property and floodwater levels. You can also record serial numbers of large appliances and collect receipts for damaged items.

Prepare a Proof of Loss

Your insurance adjuster will help you prepare a Proof of Loss, which is a sworn statement of the amount you're claiming. You'll need to file this with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood.
You can take measures to mitigate further damage, such as tarping, but don't repair damage before your adjuster visits.

Resident Damage Self Report Form

Residents can self-report damages to help prioritize the City of Tampa's damage assessment operations using the Resident Damage Self Reporting Form. If it is an emergency situation residents should always call 9-1-1, but for other non-life-threatening damages, residents can enter the information in the form. Go to tampa.gov/SelfReport to access the form.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is now open! Loans up to $50,000 are now available to businesses across Hillsborough County that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to bridge the gap between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. Visit floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines, and required documentation, and complete an application by the Nov. 24, 2024, deadline. More information is available by calling (833) 832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City of Tampa recommends the following community organizations that are providing resources to those in need:

Food Resources

Feeding Tampa Bay is operational and distributing food from their Causeway Center and at Crosswind Church (1510 Hillsborough Ave) from 4pm-6pm on September 30.

Florida's Price Gouging Hotline

Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline. Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it at MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART)

HART bus service, HARTPlus, HARTFlex, and the Streetcar system are all operational on normal schedules at this time.