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Tag: Hurricane Milton

  • SunWest Park reopens to public after damage sustained from hurricanes

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    HUDSON, Fla. — A popular Pasco County park is back open again after sustaining damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    What You Need To Know

    • One of Pasco County’s largest parks has reopened to the public after sustaining damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • Both hurricanes brought issues right to the park- notably, a lot of sand was blown out into the parking lot

    • A total of 26 truckloads of sand had to be brought in to replace what was lost

    • The damage was something, county officials say, the park had not seen in its near decade of existence


    It’s required months of work, but SunWest Park has its white sandy shores once more. Truckloads of the sand had to be brought in to repair the beach.

    “This is a crown jewel park for the county,” said Jason Mickel, public works director for Pasco County.

    Various activities like wake boarding and beach volleyball courts bring in local residents and tourists.

    “There’s plenty of areas to come out here and recreate and there’s a designated swimming area here as well,” said Mickel.

    Not that long ago, it looked a little different from what it does today. Having been struck by back-to-back hurricanes in Helene and Milton last fall.

    “We had public works crews out here for about two weeks,” says Mickel. “They focused mainly here on the south side. They also did- right where we’re standing in this swimming area- and they also had to do some repairs on the north side as well on this part of the beach. Everywhere, pretty much where there’s a designated swimming section, there had to be repairs made.” 

    A lot of the sand was blown out into the water and, even, to the parking lot.

    “We also brought in, in coordination with the parks department, 26 truckloads of white sand that you see now, that is on top of the beach,” said Mickel.

    It wasn’t just the sand, the hurricanes brought storm surge and wind damage. Something the park had not seen in its near decade of existence. 

    “I think a lesson for most of us in emergency management, to learn that a storm that doesn’t even make landfall in your area can still bring a tremendous amount of surge,” said Mickel. “We saw many, thousands of homes damaged from Helene- even though it didn’t direct hit us.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • North Redington Beach has a new mayor to navigate hurricane recovery efforts

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It’s the first time a new mayor has taken the lead in the Town of North Redington Beach in 20 years.

    Mayor Jay Super was sworn in at the town commission meeting in March after running unopposed.

    What You Need To Know

    • North Redington Beach has new mayor for first time in 20 years 

    • Mayor Jay Super was sworn in at the town commission meeting in March after running unopposed

    • Hundreds of North Redington Beach residents have significant damage from the storms and lost most of their personal belongings, including the new mayor

    His predecessor, Bill Queen, had served as mayor for 20 years before resigning in February and moving to the city of Seminole.

    Mayor Super has had a long career specializing in plumbing and construction services and believes he’s the right leader at the right time, especially as North Redington Beach works to rebuild and recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “What we’re really working for up here is to find a way to navigate these natural disasters,” said Mayor Jay Super.

    “We’re really trying to find a way to work through the red tape and get people back in their homes. Not in months, but in weeks moving forward. We hope this doesn’t happen again, but we have to plan ahead and be ready for it to happen and cut through the red tape next time,” Super continued.

    Hundreds of North Redington Beach residents have significant damage from the storms and lost most of their personal belongings, including the new mayor.

    Hurricane Helene destroyed Super’s home, which will be demolished later this month. His family is currently living in temporary housing.

    “Everybody’s been affected and some of us more than others,” said Super.

    “We lost about, 98% of all our personal belongings, including all of my children’s stuff, but it’s all the stuff that we can replace. It is sad, but we’re safe and healthy, and I think that’s the important part, and all my neighbors are safe and healthy.”

    He emphasized the importance of neighbors working together and helping each other.

    Super added that it could take five years to get North Redington Beach back to normal.

    He has been a North Redington Beach resident for the past two years, but was a regular visitor with his wife and three children for 20 years.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Beloved Clearwater restaurant reopens following closure from hurricanes

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — As an adult, it can be tough to visit places that remind you of your childhood that take you back to a party after a little league game, or where you go to eat during spring break.

    What You Need To Know

    • Capogna’s Dugout has reopened after months of being closed following hurricane’s Helene and Milton

    • The restaurant was a staple for over 50 years, but the storms knocked out power to the business and cost them thousands of dollars in spoiled food and damaged machinery

    • Following months of closure, the Capogna’s is now partnered with a person who has taken over the business and has hired back many of the original staff


    That’s what Al Capogna takes pride in when people visit Capogna’s Dugout.

    “You start eating pizza and spaghetti here when you’re 6 or 7 years old, and we’ve been open 50 years, so that means we’ve had them for 43 years, you know, and then they start bringing their kids in. And we’ve got third generation that’s coming in,” he said.

    Al’s family opened the dugout in 1973 after his father fell in love with the area while they were vacationing in Florida from Michigan.

    Over the years, it has grown, but this core restaurant has been here through the ups and downs of life — serving slices and other eats people crave.

    While it’s no secret running a restaurant is difficult, things were tough sledding in the aftermath of the pandemic.

    But the biggest blow was this past fall with Helene and Milton.

    “Lost everything,” Capogna said. “Everything. Cheese, milk, tons of cheese, chicken wings, everything.”

    They didn’t have power for days. Usually they’d run a generator, but Capogna says everything on the roof was destroyed from the storm.

    They lost thousands of dollars in equipment and food.

    “We just sat and looked, and we all agreed. Every one of us, we just can’t do this anymore,” Capogna said.

    As a result, in October, they posted this message to Facebook letting people know Capogna’s would be closing permanently, saying they took a hit they couldn’t recover from.

    “I thought it was it,” Capogna said. “I go, ‘Our dynasty is gone.’”

    But in the time they were closed, they kept receiving offers for help, but Capogna says nothing would have kept the business going long term until they met their partner, Sean Stoffel.

    He took over the restaurant and didn’t change a thing, letting folks know that Capogna’s 2.0 was now in business with Al serving as an advisor.

    “When this came up, you’re still a little kind of going, ‘Wow, is this going to be OK?’ Then you start thinking about it. And boy, is it worked out good. I mean, look, it’s all the same,” Capogna said.

    Al’s brother is still here to make the sauce and dough and many of the former staff have come back.

    Al is grateful his family dynasty can continue, especially for all those families that have shared so many childhood memories in these booths.

    Capogna is now working elsewhere but still lends a helping hand whenever needed, as do other members of his family who are so excited the dugout is back in business.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Local Relief app provides disaster resources in one space

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — An app that aims to change disaster preparedness and recovery puts free resources in one space to help bridge the gap between homeowners and help. 

    Local Relief Founder and Executive Director Heather Hackett says she hopes the tool connects communities to everything they need in crisis.

    “There are so many resources and organizations that help but finding them is a nightmare,” said Hackett.

    What You Need To Know

    • Local Relief app provides free local, state and federal resources to help prepare for and recover from disasters

    • The app was recently launched officially but motivation first came after Hurricanes Irma and Ian

    • The entrepreneur saw a need to better connect communities to vital resources


    Not anymore, says Hackett, who calls her app an ultimate hub of resources for help before, during and after a natural disaster.

    “How do I prepare my home, my dog, my kids? To what are the resources near me, what are the free organizations providing assistance? What are the ways I can apply for FEMA? Who’s going to come and help me?’ At the same time, you want the hyperlocal, which is the social media platform,” explained Hackett.

    The app was recently launched officially but motivation for it first came from Hackett’s volunteer work with cleanup efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Ian. 

    “Once you see the expression on like every face you see, you can’t unsee it,” said Hackett.

    What the Lakewood Ranch resident wanted to see was a way to make recovery easier.

    “Anything I thought that people may want to know, I put in a big document and database and just started categorizing it and organizing it and trying to put structure to it,” said Hackett.
     
    The entrepreneur has experience in event management and wanted to change the way communities could connect and manage preparation and relief efforts.

    “It was and will all be, neighbors helping neighbors,” stressed Hackett.

    So she started a nonprofit to provide those neighbors with support.

    “If you look at immediate needs, it really combines everything together,” said Hackett as she scrolled through the app. It combines: a resource directory, a way to connect and share with local groups, pre-storm preparation and post-storm recovery tips, a nonprofit directory, information about donations (giving and receiving) and a social media component.

    “One place to go, you can saturate yourself with it and make sure that there is that community for you, where it truly is just the disaster community and that’s it,” said Hackett. “We try to make it as easy as possible, we know that when people are going to log in here, they’re going to be really stressed.”

    Hackett hopes the tool serves as a lifeline and gives homeowners some relief.

    “Whether it just happened to you or whether it happened to you a year ago, we want to have information that’s going to help you today.”
     
    Hackett was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation in 2024.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Residents highlight housing as a main need at first Pasco meeting on funds

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Pasco County is the latest Tampa Bay government turning to the community for input on how to spend millions in federal hurricane relief funds.

    The first public meeting was held Monday night at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex to give residents the chance to weigh in.

    “I think this has definitely been the hardest hit that Pasco has had,” said Marcy Esbjerg, senior program administrator with the Office of Disaster Recovery.

    Esbjerg said Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton destroyed 800 homes and damaged 7,600 more in the county. One of those belongs to Stacey Van Schenk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County received $585 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help with recovery from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton 
    • The county is turning to the public to help determine what unmet needs the money should be spent on 
    • View details about the funding and how to participate

    “I’ve never in my life experienced anything like this,” said Van Schenk, a lifelong Tampa Bay resident.

    Van Schenk said the gulf took over her neighborhood during Helene, tossing a neighbor’s dock on top of her own and damaging her home with three feet of storm surge.

    “My bottom floor is a shell,” she said. “I have severe structural damage to my property, and I didn’t have flood insurance. So, now I’m trying to get with FEMA to get assistance, and I’m getting nowhere.”

    Van Schenk said she came to the meeting to find out if the funds could help her.

    “Do you pay it back? Is it a gift? What’s the terms of it? I mean, I’ll work really hard to pay it back, but I have to get the funds. My house is literally settling, and I’ve got to do remediation,” she said.

    Esbjerg said hearing from people like Van Schenk will help the county put together an action plan for the money. It’s meant to help with unmet needs — what insurance, FEMA and other resources didn’t cover. 

    Mollyanna Ward also came to the meeting to learn. She said as a member of the Florida Realtors’ task force on affordable and workforce housing, she was particularly interested in what could be done to help in those areas. She noted that the hurricanes made an existing problem worse — lack of workforce housing.

    “Sixty percent less than what we should have, at least in our area. So, because of interest rates, because of storms, because of different regulations, there are people who really are needing homes,” said Ward.

    Affordable housing was one example officials gave of how the money can be used, along with loans or grants to businesses and infrastructure projects.

    The county is asking for residents’ patience, saying details of specific programs will be released in the coming months. 

    Van Schenk said for now, she’s taking it day by day and trying not to focus on what she lost.

    “I know material items can be replaced — lives can’t. So, I’m OK with that, but I just want my house safe again,” she said.

    Part of the requirements of these federal dollars state 70% of the money has to be spent on households and areas that are low-to-moderate income. A program administrator pointed out that still leaves $175 million for people who aren’t in that income category.

    The county has more meetings scheduled for the public to give input:

    Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

    Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Rd., Hudson

    Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m.

    Moore-Mickens Education Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City

    A virtual meeting is scheduled for May 1. Ideas can also be submitted through an online survey or e-mailed to BetterFuture@mypasco.net. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pasco County seeks public input on $585M in hurricane relief

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    PASCO COUNTY — Pasco County officials are holding a series of meetings to get community input regarding a $585 million federal grant recently awarded to the county.


    The money was issued through the Department of Housing and Urban Development because of damage caused by Hurricanes Dalia, Milton and Helene.

    The grant is being issued through HUD’s Community Development Disaster Recovery Program. It’s the first time the federal grant has been issued directly to a county or municipality, said Marci Espberg, the senior program administrator for the Pasco County office of Disaster Recovery Resources.

    “It the past they would have awarded it to the state and then we would’ve had to apply to the state,” said Espberg.

    Now that the county has been awarded the $585 million grant directly, they have much more oversight over how it can be spent.

    “So, these meetings will begin on April 14 and they are to get public input for the $585 million grant that we received from HUD on how to spend the money,” said Espberg.

    Espberg, said there are more than five eligible ‘buckets’ that the funding can be used for. The first is housing.

    “So, we can replace housing, repair housing,” said Espberg. “We can build mobile homes. repair mobile homes. We could build new affordable housing. We can build it for single family or multi-family housing.”

    Then there is infrastructure and economic revitalization.

    “We want to know how our businesses impacted by the storms and what kind of loans, or grants or programs can we do to help revitalize the business community,” she said.

    Additionally, of the $585 million, $76 million must be put aside strictly for mitigation purposes to ensure a safer Pasco County in the future.

    “Then last but not least there is money that can be put toward public services like services for the homeless, healthcare, work employment like job placement skills,” she said.

    Meeting Schedule:

    Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m.

    J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd, Holiday

    Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

    Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Rd, Hudson

    Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m.

    Moore-Mickens Education Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd, Dade City

    Thursday, May 1, at 12 p.m.

    Virtual townhall

    Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m.

    Zephyrhills Train Depot, 39110 South Ave, Zephyrhills

    Monday, May 19, at 6 p.m.

    Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, 3021 Sports Coast Wy, Wesley Chapel

    Tuesday, May 20, at 5 p.m. (following BCC meeting)

    West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Dr, New Port Richey

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    Amber Gerard

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  • After months of repairs, Rowdies return to hurricane-damaged Al Lang Stadium

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    ST. PETE, Fla. — It’s been a race to the finish, but the Tampa Bay Rowdies will be back inside hurricane-damaged Al Lang Stadium just in time for the first match of their 50th anniversary season.

    Al Lang Stadium took on 4 feet of water during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. While much of downtown St. Pete was spared, the field was covered with about 2 feet of water and the below-ground locker rooms, training areas, offices, electrical rooms, and merchandise area took on more then 4 feet of storm surge.

    Tampa Bay Rowdies President Ryan Helfrick says in the days following the hurricane, he wasn’t sure the team would be back in their home stadium.

    “I think the first thing that went through our heads was, are we ever going to play here again?” Helfrick recalled, remembering what the stadium looked like with feet of water inside.

    Helfrick said it took a couple of days to pump all of the water out. During the process, they discovered the electrical systems and air conditioning units were severely damaged.

    “With the stadium being so old, the transformers and electrical boxes are so close to the ground,” he said.

    The Tampa Bay Rowdies lease the stadium from the City of St. Pete, and in the months following the storm the city approved about $3.5 million in repairs. Helfrick says work is being done in 3 phases, and they should have the major items to make the stadium fully operational repaired by end of day Friday.

    The stadium sustained additional damage to the field’s lights during Hurricane Milton. New bulbs were put in and the lights adjusted in the days before the first match.

    The first match of the season takes place the following day, Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

    “Being able to host matches here this year, be able to celebrate 50 years with our fans, at our house, and with our former players … its something that’s really special to us,” Helfrick said.

    The remainder of repairs to the stadium will continue throughout the season.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Hurricane Milton by the numbers

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center released its final report on Hurricane Milton. Here are the final numbers from around Tampa Bay.

    What You Need To Know

    • Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin

    • It had peak winds of 180 mph

    • Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024

    • More than 20 inches of rain fell in St. Petersburg
    • More Hurricane Milton stories

    MILTON STATS

    Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin, reaching Category 5 intensity in the Gulf on Oct. 7, 2024 with peak winds 180 mph (155 kts).

    The pressure is estimated to have been 895 mb at the time of peak intensity. This ties Hurricane Rita of 2005 for the fourth-lowest minimum central pressure in the Atlantic basin. The lower central pressures include 882 mb in Wilma in 2005, 888 mb in Gilbert in 1988 and 892 mb in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

    Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. as a Category 3 hurricane with max winds of 115 mph.

    The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) estimates that Milton caused $34.3 billion in damage in the United States, almost exclusively in Florida.

    One prominent building damaged by the hurricane was Tropicana Field, where the fabric roof was ripped off by high winds followed by water damage from rain falling into the stadium.

    The report notes that the west coast most affected by Hurricane Milton had also been affected by Hurricane Helene two weeks before, which complicated damage assessments.

    In Florida, Milton caused hurricane conditions along the west coast from Clearwater Beach and Tampa southward across Sarasota to near Venice. Tropical storm conditions occurred elsewhere across the Florida Peninsula south of a Cedar Key – Fernandina Beach line, with hurricane-force wind gusts reported in central Florida near the track of the center.

    STORM SURGE

    Here are the storm surge numbers from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

    • 4-6 ft from Longboat key to Venice and near landfall location.
    • 1-2 feet Tampa Bay (a sharp gradient in the surge occurred north of the landfall location where the winds were mostly offshore)
    • 4–6 ft south of Boca Grande through Bonita Beach.
    • 5–8 ft in the northern portion of Charlotte Harbor and along the Peace River.
    • 6–9 ft from Venice southward to Boca Grande
    • An isolated peak of up to 10 ft estimated near Manasota Key, excluding the height of waves.

    There were destructive storm surge impacts to the Manasota Key beach front community and significant coastal erosion. A new inlet was opened termed Milton Pass. Survey crews concluded that the water was moving extremely fast and the wave action was tremendous, leading to ‘blowout’ of the first floor of many structures.

    The report notes that the same area had a significant storm surge from Hurricane Helene two weeks prior, and the erosion and debris from its aftermath compounded the damages incurred during Milton.

    WINDS

    Here are the top wind reports from Milton that were recorded over water:

    • Egmont Key 86/105 mph
    • Skyway Fishing Pier 73/102 mph
    • Sarasota-Bradenton Airport 69/102 mph
    • Middle Tampa Bay 74/98 mph
    • Egmont Channel 78/100 mph

    Here are the top wind reports from each county around Tampa Bay:

    • Manatee County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, Sarasota-Bradenton Airport 102 mph wind gust
    • Pinellas County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport 101 mph wind gust
    • Hillsborough County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, Tampa Airport 93 mph wind gust
    • Polk County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 90 mph, Winter Haven Airport 87 mph wind gust
    • Pasco County: Peak wind gusts 65 to 75 mph, Zephyrhills 59 mph wind gust
    • Hernando County: Peak wind gusts 60 to 70 mph, Brooksville 76 mph wind gust
    • Citrus County: Peak wind gusts 50 to 60 mph., Inverness 58 mph wind gust

    RAINFALL AND FLOODING

    Milton produced a large area of heavy rain across portions of the central and northern Florida Peninsula, including 10 to 20 inches of rain in Tampa Bay.

    The highest reported storm total rainfall was 20.40 inches at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) site near St. Petersburg.

    Here’s a collection of rainfall reports from the airports, CoCoRaHS, and other sites:

    • 20.40” St. Petersburg
    • 18.88” St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport
    • 18.82” near Westchase
    • 16.88” Largo
    • 15.66” Temple Terrace
    • 15.03” Pinellas Park
    • 14.94” Dade City
    • 14.15” Trilby
    • 14.73” Dover
    • 14.13” Zephyrhills
    • 13.68” Oldsmar
    • 13.62” Thonotosassa
    • 13.13” Lakeland Airport
    • 13.05” Plant City
    • 13.05” Bradenton
    • 12.78” Gulfport
    • 12.52” Clearwater
    • 12.32” Citrus Park
    • 11.91” Riverview
    • 11.73” Tampa Airport
    • 11.63” Safety Harbor
    • 11.40” Wesley Chapel
    • 11.10” Tarpon Springs
    • 10.44” Ruskin
    • 10.28” Auburndale
    • 9.67” Lithia
    • 9.46” Spring Hill
    • 9.07” Weeki Wachee
    • 9.02” Elfers
    • 8.15” Myakka Head
    • 7.74” Floral City
    • 7.58” Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
    • 7.51” Homosassa
    • 7.47” Wimauma
    • 7.31” New Port Richey
    • 7.17” Inverness
    • 6.49” Brooksville Airport
    • 6.48” Lecanto
    • 4.77” Holder
    • 4.60 Winter Haven Airport

    Here’s an interactive rainfall map from around Florida.


    These rains caused widespread river and urban flooding, particularly in Tampa Bay with record-high crests on the Hillsborough River: a crest of 38.16 feet at Morris Bridge on Oct. 12 and 17.14 feet near Zephyrhills at Hillsborough River State Park on Oct. 10.

    TORNADOES

    Milton caused a significant tornado outbreak over the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula on Oct. 9.

    • Milton caused a significant tornado outbreak over the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula on Oct. 9
    • 45 known tornadoes on land and a tornadic waterspout over Lake Okeechobee
    • The outbreak included 3 EF3 tornadoes, 6 EF2 tornadoes, 25 EF1 tornadoes, 7 EF0 tornadoes and 4 tornadoes of unknown intensity.
    • One of the EF3 tornadoes killed six people near Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
    • There were 14 known injuries associated with the tornadoes.

    Here is an interactive map of the tornadoes produced by Hurricane Milton.


    IMPACTS

    Milton is currently known to be responsible for 15 direct deaths – 12 in the United States (all in Florida) and 3 in Mexico.

    • Six people died due to the tornado near Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
    • Four people were killed by falling trees, while there were two deaths due to freshwater flooding.

    Milton caused 27 indirect deaths in the United States, all in Florida.

    Most of the deaths were due to health issues during storm preparations or post-storm clean-up or due to falls related to storm preparations, clean-up, or power failures.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Rod and Reel Pier announces new, temporary restaurant location

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The impacts of Hurricane Milton were dramatic on many local businesses, including an iconic Manatee County spot.

    The Rod and Reel Pier still has a long road to recovery, but the restaurant that was on the pier has found a temporary home.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rod and Reel Pier has a new restaurant location that is temporary
    • The new restaurant location is where the “Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus” in Holmes Beach used to be
    • The owner says they are actively working on getting the permits in order, and there is still no date set for when construction will begin on the pier

    The Rod and Reel Pier announced its temporary location for its restaurant.

    The new spot will be where the “Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus” in Holmes Beach used to be.

    The Rod and Reel Pier was washed away by the power of Hurricane Milton. But its memories live on.

    Rod and Reel Pier owner Oliver Lemke said the messages remind him of how much it means to people — and it means a lot to him, too, which is why he’s working on getting the permits needed to start rebuilding.

    “It’s been there since 1947. Either you give up, which is not an option, or you go in there full speed and get it back. That’s what we decided to do,” he said.

    Lemke hopes to restore the Rod and Reel Pier, but in the meantime, he decided to reopen the restaurant that was on the pier in a temporary spot: the “Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus” in Holmes Beach.

    “It’s a small space. It’s a 1,500-square-foot room, roughly. And we’re going to do a lot of work to it,” he said.

    It’s work that’s worth it.

    With an anticipated opening next month, Lemke said they’ll be able to bring in money and rehire some of the employees.

    “The first thing is to, you know, get work for everybody again,” Lemke said. “Because some of the employees have been with the company for like 20 years.

    “Second thing, you know, get some revenue out of this because, as I said, the rebuilding of the pier is going to cost a lot of money. And so, remember, when you come up here, every dime you spend is going to go into the rebuilding of the pier.”

    Moving into this temporary space has Lemke moving in the right direction in the rebuilding process.

    The owner says they are actively working on getting the permits in order, and there is still no date set for when construction will begin on the pier.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort to be demolished; owners plan to rebuild

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — After 68 years of serving residents and guests in Treasure Island, the iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort will be demolished.

    The owners of the historic site on Thursday said that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic and that 80 percent of the property has substantial damage. The waterfront property spans nearly two acres along Gulf Boulevard.

    The owners say they are planning to build a new resort that honors the legacy of the Thunderbird but also enhances the site to be more resilient for the next storm.

    They have submitted development plans with the city of Treasure Island.

    Once the old building is torn down, a four-story resort with several buildings will take its place. It will have more than 100 rooms and 126 parking spaces.

    The owners of the historic site on Thursday said that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic and that 80 percent of the property has substantial damage. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Erica Riggins)

    Historians are hoping the owners keep a promise of balancing preservation with progress.

    “We need the tourism, you know, to support the economy. And a lot of us just hate to see the old stuff go, but it can’t stay forever. We know that,” said Scott Pownall of the Treasure Island Historical Society.

    “So, I just hope they try to preserve some of the quaintness of Treasure Island, some of the small town feel and not be Miami or something,” he said.

    There are at least a couple of things that will stay put.

    The Thunderbird name and neon sign will remain and be incorporated into the new design.

    The redevelopment plans still need approval from Treasure Island’s development review committee and city leaders.

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    Erica Riggins, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Post-hurricane FEMA housing program to end for many in Pinellas County

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Wednesday night will be the final stay for many hotel guests who have been using money from a FEMA program to fund their room costs while their hurricane-damaged homes are under repair.

    For the last 180 days, those who were seriously impacted by the hurricanes have had access to FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program.

    Sara Zuckerman with the office of FEMA External Affairs said the agency is granting two-week extensions on a case-by-case basis only if they can determine that the person impacted still meets eligibility requirements.

    What You Need To Know

    • Majority of people using FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance told April 9 is final day

    • FEMA granting two-week extensions on case-by-case basis

    • FEMA representatives say “a decent amount of individuals” will be impacted 

    • MORE: Temporary Housing Assistance


    St. Pete Beach resident Andrea Simhony has been using FEMA’s TSA program for the last few months. She says she’s scrambling to try to make a plan on where to go after checkout Thursday morning.

    “They told me to go in a shelter… I’m not going in a shelter,” she said. “The work at my home is in progress. I just need a few more days and I can’t reach anyone from FEMA who will listen to my situation.”

    Simhony has been staying at the Plaza Beach Hotel in St. Pete Beach, along with 62 others impacted by the hurricanes. The hotel’s owner says of the 63 guests using the FEMA program to cover their costs, 11 have been granted extensions.

    Simhony said after waiting months to get building permits from the city, she had to wait longer for contractor availability. Work is in now progress with contractors at her home daily, she said, but she needs another week before she can move back in.


    Simhony said with the cost of repairs, there’s nothing left to front the hotel tab that FEMA has been covering.

    “I still have my condo fee to pay as well and electric over there,” she said. “It’s too much.”

    Kevin Sheftic, who had to gut his St. Pete Beach apartment after it flooded in Hurricane Helene, has a similar story. He said following the storm he was homeless and sleeping on the beach until got FEMA housing funds.

    “I’d be back in my place if it hadn’t been for the building permit delays,” he said.“There’s hundreds of people like us in the same position and no, it’s not our fault.”


    Both Simhony and Sheftic said they haven’t had any luck reaching the governor’s office or local elected officials regarding their situation and they fear their pleas for help are falling on deaf ears.

    “It’s just been a lot of anxiety. I did speak with FEMA and there’s apparently nothing more they can do,” Sheftic said. “I emailed the governor’s office, I emailed a number of state representatives but no replies yet.”

    FEMA representatives ask that those who believe they are still eligible for FEMA assistance but have received a notice of ineligibility call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

    Those who are no longer eligible for the TSA program have been sent a list of resources and housing programs, provided by FEMA. 

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    Angie Angers

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  • Public weighs in on HUD hurricane recovery funds

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Monday marked the first chance for Pinellas County residents to let leaders know how they want to see more than $800 million in federal hurricane recovery funds spent. 

    “I think businesses should be at the top of the list because there’s so many businesses that are completely gone, people’s life savings,” said Pass-a-Grille resident Roger Kazanowski. “I was a small business man, and to see that happen to people is just horrendous.”

    “Certainly to help everyone get back into their homes and their businesses back operating,” said Gulfport City council member Marlene Shaw.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Pinellas County held its first meeting to get public input on how $813 million in hurricane recovery funds should be spent

    •  The money is meant to help with unmet needs following Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton

    •  According to the county, housing is the biggest need, followed by the economy

    • Read previous coverage here


    Kazanowski and Shaw were among the more than 50 people who gathered at the Lealman Exchange for a public meeting on the funds — $813 million from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

    The money is meant to help people impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, with 70% meant to help households and areas considered low-to-moderate income. Pinellas Board of County Commissioners Chair Brian Scott said the goal is to fulfill unmet needs. 

    “What happened six months ago with these back-to-back hurricanes never happened in Pinellas County. So, these listening sessions are really intended to explore what those needs are,” Scott said.

    A presentation given during the meeting showed that data pointed to housing being the biggest need by far, followed by the economy, infrastructure, and public services.

    Draft proposals of programs that can be funded with the money include $500 million for home rehabilitation and reconstruction, as well as $57 million for rental rehab and reconstruction for local landlords and $32 million for disaster relief payments to cover reimbursements for expenses like rent and utilities.

    Other programs would budget $32 million to help small businesses and nonprofits and $105 million for infrastructure mitigation projects. Scott said the first programs will likely roll out this fall, and he’s asking for residents’ patience.

    “We’re going to be at this for probably a number of years. If you think about even just the ARPA money we got, which was $189 million due to COVID a few years back, it took us years to work through those funds,” he said.

    The estimated budgets for the proposed programs could change based on input the county gets from the public.

    Seventy percent of the funds are meant to help households and areas that are considered low-to-moderate income, and income requirements will likely be part of some of the programs. More details are expected to be included in a draft action plan the county expects to release in coming weeks. 

    Three more community meetings are planned. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at Dunedin City Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents can also fill out an online survey. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Mold expert: Improper storm clean-up now can cause issues in the future

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    REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. — A mold remediation expert is reminding homeowners in the midst of rebuilding after last year’s hurricanes how easily moisture can get trapped into building materials.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bob Richards, owner of Quality Remediation, says he’s getting a lot of calls to correct situations where moisture was not addressed properly after last year’s hurricanes



    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports mold can have a variety of health impacts, ranging from respiratory issues and allergic reactions to skin problems



    • Post remediation verification can help prevent future problems, Richards says




    Bob Richards has been in the remediation industry for over 30 years. As owner of Quality Remediation, he says he’s getting a lot of calls to correct situations where moisture was not addressed properly.

    “We get called in to a lot of homes where they believe that mold remediation has been done and it clearly has not,” said Richards, who stresses storm clean-up can impact homes long after a rebuild, if moisture does get trapped.

    “As you get into the rainy season, you get into high humidity, any other type of raised moisture, for whatever reason, maybe another water event, mold will reactivate,” said Richards.

    To prevent that, he recommends post remediation verification be performed. Richards says that is done by an independent, third-party specialist.

    “It’s a detailed removal that should happen of all materials, including the hard-to-get materials and then cleaning and disinfecting and, in some cases, adding a fungicidal protective coating,” said Richards, who adds that the inspection also includes proper drying and air and surface sampling.

    A process completed before putting the house back together, says Richards, that can help prevent future problems.

    “After the storms, after all this is cleaned up, I think mold is still going to be like the biggest thing that’s going to impact most homeowners at the end of the day, years down the road,” said Richards.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports mold can have a variety of health impacts, ranging from respiratory issues and allergic reactions to skin problems.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Treasure Island Commission approves terrain modification program

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The Treasure Island City Commission has approved a series of ordinances related to a terrain modification program.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Treasure Island commission has approved its terrain modification program

    • The plan addresses sea level rise by using fill dirt to elevate homes

    • The program was unanimously approved, though Commissioner Chris Clark opposed the program as it’s currently written, but was unable to attend Tuesday night’s meeting


    It’s part of a plan to address sea level rise and has been something the commission has discussed for months now.

    The work has already been underway for some homes in Treasure Island.

    After Helene and Milton, some homeowners have chosen to lift their houses up to avoid flood waters when the next storm comes.

    But what hasn’t been allowed in the city has been fill dirt, but Tuesday night, a unanimous vote changes that.

    “We have 92 homes that have been demolished,” said John Doctor, mayor of Treasure Island. “And a lot of those homes are waiting for this ordinance to pass.”

    Doctor was one of those approval votes Tuesday night.

    He has seen the work people are already doing around town and says this would alleviate the process.

    “We see it as probably the most direct and the most timely way to actually get fill dirt in, because people are beginning to build their homes back up again and they’re going up higher, and they need that dirt to do so,” Doctor said.

    The commission had its first reading of this program last month, with commissioner Chris Clark opposing the program because he feels the current plan is too complicated.

    Clark had prior work obligations, so he wasn’t at tonight’s meeting but had a letter read aloud opposing the program.

    In his letter, Clark said he was hoping to pass something more simplified.

    Ultimately, with its approval, Doctor says even more work can continue on the island that’s eager to return to whatever normal is after a devastating storm.

    “You’re going to start seeing dump trucks all over the city because that’s what they’re waiting for,” Doctor said.

    Regarding Clark’s comments about the program being complicated, it did take the commission about 10 minutes just to read the entire program and its ordinances into the record.

    According to the city’s website, the use of fill dirt is completely voluntary and will be evaluated every two years.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Managing prolonged stress during hurricane recovery

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The emotional stress of hurricane recovery can be prolonged, as the rebuilding process remains stagnant for many homeowners.

    Tips for coping with prolonged stress, according to Ellie Mental Health:

    • Shift mindset

    • Start with short-term goals; think creatively about solutions

    • Connect with community for support, resources

    • Consider professional support  


    Spectrum Bay News 9 checked back in with a homeowner on how she’s managing her emotions through it all. A mental health counselor also shares insight into ways to help people cope.

    Damage left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton has led to prolonged stress for many impacted homeowners.

    “Being intentional with your time and with your energy is really important through this because it can consume you,” said Amy Brooks, who has not seen progress in rebuilding her St. Petersburg home.

    Flooded during Helene, Brooks has been out of her house in the Riviera Bay neighborhood ever since.

    “It’s easy to get discouraged but prioritizing my mental health has become one of my most important things to do,” said Brooks.

    The 34-year-old said after six months of navigating the rebuild with FEMA and her insurance company, she’s still living in limbo. Part of prioritizing mental health for her meant packing up and taking a break.

    “I picked somewhere that had always been appealing to me. Nicholas Sparks wrote a lot of books in Wilmington, N.C. and they were based in that area. I had never seen it,” said Brooks of selecting a spot.

    For six weeks, Brooks immersed herself in the community.

    “Toured around all the spots where One Tree Hill was filmed and all the Nicholas Sparks movies, went to Southport where Safe Haven was filmed,” said Brooks. “I found a little yoga studio and I did yoga every single day. I kind of just put this on pause and I reset my mind and I saw new things.” 

    Reset to refresh is one healthy way to cope, says licensed clinical social worker Katie Planchard.

    “Really think ahead, don’t look behind but look ahead,” said Planchard, Clinic Director of Ellie Mental Health.

    Planchard says other coping skills include:

    • Shift your mindset
    • Set short-term goals
    • Think creatively about change
    • Connect with community for support and resources
    • Tap into what brings you joy
    • Consider professional support

    “Find those things on a daily basis that can help boost your mood, they don’t have to be big things, sometimes our best coping skills are the little things that we’re doing every single day that can make the biggest difference,” said Planchard.

    Brooks says resetting made a big difference, and she brought joy from her refresh back to Florida.

    “For me, being mindful and being able to meditate daily and just prioritize my mental health will at least help me get to the next step, whatever that may be,” said Brooks.

    She hopes the next steps include rebuilding her home to help preserve memories of her late mother.

    “My mom helped me get this house, so I’m not just going to let it go,” said Brooks of holding onto hope.

    “There’s a lot of power in just resetting your mind,” said Brooks.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Permitting problems persist for homeowners after storms

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The permitting process has been one of the biggest complaints when it comes to hurricane recovery.

    Some are still waiting on permits to be approved, while others don’t even know where they are in the process, or if their application has even been reviewed.

    What You Need To Know

    • Permitting is still a sore point for many when it comes to rebuilding after hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • Mark and Mary Anne Casci don’t quality for FEMA assistance and had to get their rental property reappraised to meet the 50/50 rule

    • The Cascis’ other home is at a standstill though, and they hope that getting it reappraised, it will meet the 50/50 rule



    If the bright peach house with the two-car garage just a block from the beach doesn’t catch your eye, Mark Casci says the view from inside of the row of permits taped on the front window of the home should.

    “We really had a celebration two weeks ago with our permit. In fact, I asked the people as we were going out if there’s a bell we could ring,” Casci said.

    He’s not ringing any bells just yet.

    “We did move all the electrical that had been submerged in water and elected to move it all up to four feet,” he said.

    There’s so much work still left to be done in the place his family has called their home away from home for the last 40 years.

    “Our daughter was two years old when we first bought the place at a time when we couldn’t afford to stay here. So, we had a motor home that we had pulled down in the yard and our kids really knew nothing else than Florida for vacations and we had both units rented,” Casci said.

    Pictures show how the front and the back units of their rental property were destroyed by storm surge from Hurricane Helene.

    Casci, and his wife Mary Anne, are snowbirds from Minnesota who don’t qualify for FEMA assistance. So, when they got that dreaded substantial damage letter that didn’t include the percentage of damage, they took matters into their own hands.

    “Fortunately, with our outside appraisal, we met the 50/50 rule and eventually got our permit, so not an issue in the long run, just initially a shock that we didn’t have that number of what the damage was,” he said.

    After months, hiring their own appraiser and sitting inside the building department for hours, waiting on answers, they got their permits from Madeira Beach. But the same can’t be said just a couple miles away at the home they planned to retire in on Redington Beach.

    That permitting process is at a standstill.

    Casci said they’ve flooded three times in five years at their waterfront Redington Beach home.

    “When we walked in here, in fact, the water line is gone now, but it was approximately at this level here,” he said. “Well, the furniture that was in here floated into another room.”

    He said they don’t think the information they have at the moment is correct.

    “As of now, this letter basically tells us, tear down or raise up,” he said.

    That’s not something the couple says they’re prepared to do, so they had this home appraised, too. They’re hoping it would bring them closer to a solution and under 50%. But so far, they haven’t heard anything, and it’s been months.

    “Give us the facts we need to make the decision,” he said.

    Redington Shores is handling the permitting process for Redington Beach and officials there say they can’t give an estimate about how long it will take for permits to be granted.

    For the Cascis, this means two homes and two very different possibilities for the future of their rental property and their dream home.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Mayor Welch’s new City Hall on Tour to focus on storm recovery

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Fresh off meeting with state lawmakers about the progress of still-ongoing storm recovery in the area, Mayor Ken Welch is restarting his City Hall on Tour speaking engagements.

    Welch, along with members of his City Leadership team, will host an “open house” tour at different locations throughout the city to listen to and learn from residents about their needs. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Mayor Ken Welch is restarting his City Hall on Tour speaking engagements

    • Residents are invited to provide input on how the funds should be used to address housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery needs
    • Wednesday night’s stop will be at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. North, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    Wednesday night’s stop will be at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. North, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Additional dates will be scheduled in the future.

    This first stop of the year will not only provide residents with an opportunity to engage directly with city leadership but will also highlight Sunrise St. Pete, the City’s newly launched initiative funded by $160 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from HUD.

    Residents are invited to provide input on how the funds should be used to address housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery needs.

    The mayor said he is encouraged with the disaster funds and how much they’ll be able to assist residents.

    “We’re excited, we’re one of only two cities in the state I believe to receive that funding directly,” Welch said. “And so that $160 million is going to help folks in St.  Petersburg rebuild and rebuild stronger. We’re excited about it.” 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Iconic St. Pete Don CeSar hotel partially reopens six months after 2024 storms

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — After more than six months, the iconic Don CeSar Hotel is reopening on Wednesday in a limited capacity.

    Due to the amount of damage sustained during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in different parts of the 1920s Gatsby-Era building, the hotel’s management team decided to bring guests back with a phased reopening.

    What You Need To Know

    • Maritana Restaurant, Lobby Bar, spa, pool & beach access now open

    • Hotel reservations begin April 1

    • Work will continue to ballroom and remaining restaurants and shops

    • MORE: Don CeSar set for late March reopening


    Starting Wednesday, the Maritana Restaurant, spa, Lobby Bar, and access to the beach and pool along with poolside dining are available. On April 1, the hotel will begin taking room reservations.

    Management expects renovations to the newly designed ballroom, the remaining restaurants and bars, as well as the shopping boutiques to continue for the next several months.

    This is the first time the Don CeSar has been seriously damaged from a hurricane in its 97-year history. Built in the late 1920s, the hotel was bought by the U.S. Army in the 1940s and used as a sub-base hospital. After that, it fell into disrepair before it was bought and restored in the early 1970s.


    Since then, it’s been an icon of Pinellas County’s beach community. Charlie Justice of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce says the Don CeSar opening is what the area needs right now.

    “It is a symbol that we are back and the beaches are ready to go,” he said. “It is an important symbol for all of our community and for all of Tampa Bay to say ‘please come visit and the doors are open for you.’”

    Work will continue in areas of the hotel through the fall.

    _

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    Angie Angers

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  • Bealls aids associates with relief fund after hurricanes

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — Bealls stores are a familiar sight across the Tampa Bay region.

    They got their start in Bradenton in 1915, and for years, they’ve helped employees get back on their feet after life-changing storms.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bealls Inc. has given money to more than 1100 associates across the country for hurricane relief from their R.M. Beall Sr. Foundation Associate Relief Fund

    • According to Bealls officials, this foundation is to help associates when a federally declared disaster takes place

    • Bealls Inc. is celebrating its 110th anniversary in April and according to the retail store, Manatee County commissioners declared March 25 to be Bealls Day

    Bealls gave more than 1,100 associates across the country money after experiencing damages from last year’s hurricanes.

    It is called the R.M. Beall Sr. Foundation Associate Relief Fund.

    “In 2005, we had a pretty significant hurricane season and impact on our associates. And so we started the disaster relief fund that can come to the aid of associates who have experienced loss during any federally declared disasters,” Tianne Doyle, President of Bealls Inc., said.

    Teri Cerri, an associate at Bealls Inc. for about four years in Bradenton, was a beneficiary of those funds.

    Cerri’s home in West Bradenton was impacted by Hurricane Milton.

    “My home was destroyed in all honesty. Then there was a ‘thump, thump, thump, thump, boom,’ which was my roof coming off. And then it started raining in my house,” she said.

    Each associate can send in their application for each federally declared disaster.

    This time around, money ranging from $50 to $3,000 was sent out to associates.

    Bealls Inc. associate Terri Cerri’s home was dealt a blow by Hurricane Milton. (Courtesy: Terri Cerri)

    “I mean, I was amazed,” Cerri said. “I looked at my checking account one day and thought, ‘That’s not right.’ About three weeks later, I got the letter from them telling me about it.”

    She was displaced for five months, so she used that money to rebuild.

    “I had to have new ceilings, new walls, the whole place painted, ceilings textured. I had to replace furniture. It was rebuilding the whole place,” Cerri said.

    Three weeks ago, she was able to come back home.

    “It meant a lot. I was very surprised. I didn’t know they had that and such a quick response. Just, it really amazed me,” Cerri said.

    As she prepares for this upcoming hurricane season, one part she can rest easy on is knowing there are people here to give her a helping hand.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Pinellas seeks public input on $813 million storm recovery fund

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County announced Monday it has been awarded more than $813 million for hurricane recovery efforts and wants the public’s input on how to use the funds.

    The funds can impact all of Pinellas, except for St. Petersburg. The county said the city is receiving its own funding.

    The money came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Idalia in 2023, and hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

    At their Feb. 25 meeting, Pinellas commissioners were told the money can be used to help with unmet needs — anything from un-reimbursed costs for home repair and reconstruction, to public services like legal aid, to grants and loans for small businesses.

    “What we’re proposing is that we really focus on people first and put the municipal and the county’s cost as a secondary burner,” Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton said at the meeting.

    70% of program funds are meant to help low-to-moderate income residents and areas.

    Commissioners were told at the February meeting that when it comes to individual households, that works out to an income of $76,000 per year for a family of four.

    For infrastructure improvements like road repairs, 51% of the service area’s population must be considered low-to-moderate income.

    The county has launched an online survey and hub, and will host a series of public meetings in April and May.

    Here are the meeting dates.

    Public meetings

    Monday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. (South County)
    Lealman Exchange
    Ray Neri Room
    5175 45th Street North, St. Petersburg

    Thursday, April 10, 6-8 p.m. (Mid County)
    City of Dunedin – City Hall
    Commission Chambers
    737 Louden Ave, Dunedin

    Thursday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. (North County)
    Harbor Hall/White Chapel
    1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor

    Tuesday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. (Board of County Commission Meeting)
    333 Chestnut Street, Palm Room
    Clearwater, FL 33756

    Zoom Meetings

    Links at recover.pinellas.gov/meetings
    Tuesday, May 13, 11 a.m.
    Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m.

    Pinellas businesses see a glimmer of hope

    Brian Himert, manager of The Spice & Tea Exchange at the John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, said he plans to apply for any assistance if his business is eligible and would also like to see help available to get people back into their homes.

    He and his wife, Lisa, set up shop at the location 18 years ago.

    As it did for so many people, storm surge from Hurricane Helene changed everything.

    For about five months, Himert and his employees have set out their array of teas, spices, and salts under a tent every day.

    “It’s been a long battle. We’re very fortunate that we have a large guest following,” Himert said.

    Pictures provided by Himert show the inside of the tea shop gutted following the storm. He told Spectrum News he was also hit at home, with five and a half feet of water inundating the first floor of his Treasure Island house.

    “We were able to stay in our home because we live on the second and third floor, but a lot of people are in hotels, in apartments, and paying mortgage payments,” said Himert. “Or they’re in a situation where all the equity in their home is gone, and now all they can hope for is to sell the land. So, it’s a horrible situation.”

    The news that Pinellas County is getting more than $813 million that could potentially help homeowners and businesses was welcome.

    “I think there’s a lot of small mom and pops like us that are really ingrained in the community and believe in their communities that could use a lot of help,” he said. 

    A few shops down at Made in the Shade Sunglasses, owner Joshua Cearnal is glad to be back in his store. He reopened March 15 after six months of repair work that he said he did on his own.

    Cearnal said he’d like to see a reimbursement program set up for small businesses.

    “It would help out tremendously,” he said. “We didn’t have income for six months.”

    Any program ideas are just possibilities at this point.

    It was stressed at the February commission meeting that public input is going to play a big role in figuring out what the most pressing needs are in Pinellas County and how to meet them. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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