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In the case of a fire, police or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. 

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Hurricane Milton Updates

Recovery Updates

  • Today (Thursday, Oct. 10), responders are still conducting search and rescue missions, and county and utility crews are clearing roads, repairing infrastructure and working to restore services.
  • Pinellas County Utilities has issued a boil water notice as of Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 6 p.m., for all southern barrier island customers from John’s Pass to Tierra Verde due to Hurricane Milton impacting water supply to the Tampa Bay area. View more information.
  • The City of St. Petersburg has issued a boil water notice for residents of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, South Pasadena, and Lealman.
  • Tampa Bay Water, the overall provider of water to the region, asks all customers to conserve water as crews work to assess and repair water systems.
  • Much of the County is without power. View Duke Energy outages.
  • Drop-off sites for residential storm debris will reopen Friday, Oct. 11. These specific sites are only for unincorporated residents and identification is required. The sites are at 13600 Icot Boulevard in Clearwater, and at the corner of Keystone Road and East Lake Road in East Lake. They will accept debris daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

What to Do After the Storm

Tips for returning home

  • Limit unnecessary travel for the next several days so crews can remove hazards, restore power to traffic signals and repair infrastructure. If you must drive, treat an intersection as a four-way stop sign if traffic lights are not working. Do not drive through standing water.
  • Avoid walking through floodwater because it may contain bacteria, wildlife, sharp objects and live power lines.
  • Avoid downed power lines. Report downed lines to the power company if you can.
  • Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
  • Use a generator safely. Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in a garage, even with the door open.

If your property was damaged

  • Photograph and list all damaged or lost items, including their age and value where possible. Take photos of how high the water was in the house. After photographing, remove any wet contents as soon as possible to prevent mold. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
  • Contact your insurance agent and file your insurance claim as soon as possible. Learn more at pinellas.gov/flood-insurance
  • Do not do work on your home that is beyond your limitations. Make sure contractors you hire are licensed. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. If you do not have internet access, you can also call the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (727) 582-3100 beginning Monday, Oct. 14, and choose Option 2 for Licensing to check whether a contractor is licensed.

Report Damages

County Information Center

The County Information Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for storm questions. Call (727) 464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the County Information Center via online chat at bit.ly/PinellasChat.

Emergency Shelters

For the full list of available shelters and their status, see our Shelter Page.

Storm Safety Information

View information for your city/municipality

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Closures

  • Pinellas County Government offices and all County parks and preserves will remain closed through the rest of the week due to Hurricane Milton. The closures include all departments under the County Administrator, the Clerk’s Office, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections.
  • Many County employees are working this week in storm-related roles, including emergency management, safety and emergency services, transportation, public works, utilities, solid waste, communications, animal services and shelter support.
  • Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
  • 9-1-1 is for reporting life-threatening emergencies only – not damages or power outages.
  • Information about when County offices and parks will reopen will be announced after the storm impacts are assessed.

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Hurricane Helene Recovery

FEMA Assistance Available

FEMA assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene. FEMA may be able to help homeowners and renters with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

Phone lines are open every day, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. View an accessible video on how to apply here.

View full details.

Disaster Recovery Center

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which was scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 7, at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Magnolia Room, will not open until after Hurricane Milton.

FEMA Registration Assistance Points

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Pinellas County and local partners have coordinated to open six sites around Pinellas County to expand access to federal application assistance. However, these sites are closed until after Hurricane Milton.

Cooling Stations Available

Several cooling/comfort stations are available in areas where residents remain without power following Hurricane Helene. These stations will provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. View locations and hours here.

Insurance Assistance

Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Consumer Services is hosting an Insurance Village Oct. 4-6 at 1501 North Belcher Road, Clearwater. The Village will have more than 40 insurance companies available for claims process assistance and with the ability to write preliminary checks for homeowners. For more info call 1.877.MyFLCFO or go to preparefl.com.  

PSTA will have free bus service to the Insurance Village. Bus service will run approximately every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4-6 and will service from the St. Pete Beach Access and serve Gulf Blvd shelters and Clearwater Marina bus stops. Residents should look for Trolley’s with the destination sign of Insurance Village.

Housing Options for Displaced Residents

If you have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene, visit pinellas.gov/HurricaneHousing for a list of resources to help you search for short-and long-term housing options.

Storm Damage

Report Damages

  • Homes
  • Businesses
  • Roads or other public infrastructure (SeeClickFix)
  • Homeowners Insurance: Take extensive photos of interior and exterior damage before cleaning or removing damaged building materials. Save samples of damaged personal property that you may include in a claim.

Storm Debris Cleanup

Pinellas County is collecting debris in certain zones, and there are several options for debris disposal in our area. Visit Pinellas.gov/debris for more information.

Separate tree limbs and yard waste from household items or building debris. Put the debris in separated piles on your curb without blocking the road and away from gutters and storm drains.

What to do with sand on your property

If clean sand from the beach ended up on your property you can return it to the beach and dune above the high tide line (mean high water). It must not have stains, odors or debris, and you must not place it over dune plants, turtle nests, hurricane generated debris or construction debris.

Contaminated sand that does not meet the criteria above should be piled up on your property. The County is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide guidance on what residents and business owners can do with contaminated sand.

Don’t put sand in your trash or out on the road.

If you’re using heavy equipment, be cautious of buried water lines and other infrastructure. Call 311.

What about the sand on the roads?

Do not push your sand back onto Gulf Blvd! Our Public Works department is working on an authorization from DEP to screen it to remove debris and return it to the beach.

Use Licensed Contractors

Unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate home and business owners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. Verify contractors are licensed at contractorsearch.pcclb.com.

Sea Wall Damage

If the back of your seawall was exposed, consult a structural engineer or licensed marine contractor before covering with sand because your seawall could be damaged and putting sand could damage it further.

Help with Cleanup (Crisis Cleanup Hotline)

Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386. This is for people who need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene and connects people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able assist with jobs such as muck-outs (cleaning up), trees, tarp, and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.

Please note: This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

Home and Business Repairs

Is your property damaged? Read our Rebuilding After a Storm webpage before beginning your repairs to ensure your house can better withstand future storms.

If your business was economically injured or physically damaged by Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for a Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan up to $50,000. Learn more and apply at Floridajobs.org/EBL.

Make sure contractors you hire are licensed – unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate homeowners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. Verify contractors are licensed at contractorsearch.pcclb.com.

If you suspect unlicensed construction activity is taking place and the work is actively in progress, submit your report by completing this form or call the Pinellas County Tipline at (727) 582-6767.

Water and Sewer Issues

Minimize flushing toilets, washing dishes, laundry, dishwashers etc. to prevent wastewater backing up.

If you see water bubbling out of manholes, please report them by calling (727) 464-4000.  

What to Do with Used Sandbags

You can reuse clean sandbags, but do not throw contaminated sandbags in your trash can or dump them on the beach. You can bring used sandbags, separated from other waste, to the Solid Waste Disposal Complex. More information at: pinellas.gov/sandbags

Food Assistance

Feeding Tampa Bay is offering food pantries and food distribution events in Pinellas County for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Find food and resources.

Disaster Mental Health Resources

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. View more information.

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. FAQs for ASL NOW users.

Care About Me

Care About Me, Pinellas County’s access line for mental health, substance use and addiction services, can help residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis find local services. Call or text 1-888-431-1998 or chat in on careaboutme.org, confidentially speak with an experienced behavioral health specialist who will triage your needs, and get an appointment scheduled with a local provider.

988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to assist anyone experiencing trauma or in need of support. Call or text 988 for support.

Unemployment Assistance

Florida residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene can submit a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) at FloridaJobs.org.

Work search reporting, waiting week and Employ Florida registration requirements for Reemployment Assistance claims have been temporarily waived for residents in our area so they can quickly apply and receive Reemployment Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.

DUA is available to those who are ineligible to receive federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits and the individual meets one of the following requirements:

  • Is unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster;
  • Was scheduled to start employment but was unable to as a direct result of the major disaster;
  • Is unable to reach their job or self-employment location because the individual has to travel through an affected area and is prevented from doing so as a direct result of the major disaster;
  • Has become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result of the major disaster; or
  • Is unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of the major disaster.

Home Safety

  • Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
  • Use a generator safely. Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
  • If you have an electric vehicle or golf cart and it was exposed to salt water, it needs to be moved away from your home by at least 50 feet.  These vehicles may catch fire in the coming days.
  • See this page for detailed safety information after the storm.

Lost Pets

  • If you have lost or found a pet, visit pinellas.gov/lost-and-found.
  • You can visit the Pinellas County Animal Services’ Found Center to check for your lost pet or drop off a found pet at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Found Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can check other local animal shelters as well.

Donation Collection Sites

Donation collection is currently suspended to prepare for the incoming hurricane (10/8/24).

Volunteers

  • Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up via Volunteer Connect, a statewide online portal to match volunteers with organizations that are looking for help. Visit: volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect
  • Do not show up to volunteer at disaster areas without first registering and receiving an assignment through Volunteer Connect. The organization you are assigned to will provide instructions and information.

Hurricane Debby Recovery

Resources to help you recover from Hurricane Debby.