disaster response: hurricane helene

Support Our Neighbors

At Habitat for Humanity, our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in the storm’s aftermath. We seek community support for funds and supplies to help our Habitat homeowners, partner families currently in our program, and community members rebuild. 

Starting Monday, September 30th, our offices will accept donations of cleaning supplies and safety gear.  All monetary donations will directly support disaster relief. Please see the drop-off location addresses below.

Fill the Truck: Donate Supplies

Cleaning Supplies

Contractor-Grade Bags
Garbage Bags
Paper Towels
Brooms
Mops
Shovels

Safety Gear

Protective Gloves & Eyewear
Flashlights
Batteries
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
First-Aid Kits
Bandages

Donations can be delivered during regular business hours to the following locations:

PINELLAS ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS
14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 704 Clearwater, FL 33762

PASCO COUNTY OFFICE
7237 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654

HERNANDO COUNTY OFFICE – GREATER HERNANDO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
15588 Aviation Loop Dr, Suite 2 Brooksville, FL 34604

Make a Donation

donate

Community Resources

FEMA Assistance

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.

Volunteering and Donating

Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up via Volunteer Connect, a statewide online portal to match volunteers with organizations that are looking for help here: volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect.

Collection sites around Pinellas County are accepting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene. These locations are for donation drop-offs only, unless otherwise specified by the location’s agency. The list of donation sites can be found on disaster.pinellas.gov.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Available

FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment 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:

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 29, 2024, through March 29, 2025, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in the designated-disaster areas. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is no later than Dec. 2, 2024.

To file a claim, go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim” or call 1-800-385-3920 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Barrier Island Points of Distribution (PODs) for Food, Water, Tarps

Pinellas County is supporting three points of distribution (PODs) where barrier island residents affected by Hurricane Helene can receive free food, water and tarps while supplies last starting today:

  • St. Pete Beach: 4700 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (Food, Water, and Tarps)
  • Treasure Island: 10451 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. (Food, Water, and Tarps)
  • Tierra Verde Fire Station: 540 Sands Point Drive, Tierra Verde. (Water Only)

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

Crisis Cleanup Assistance

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.

Damage Reporting

Pinellas County is collecting damage reports and pictures at pinellas.gov/reportdamage. This survey is for information gathering purposes only and can be used by the County to determine our community’s eligibility for additional storm recovery funding. You must still report any damage to your insurance company or FEMA if applicable. If you are a business and have experienced storm-related impacts or loss of income please report damages to floridadisaster.biz/.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay – Hurricane Relief Kit Giveaway 10/2

Grab your FREE Hurricane Relief Kits, Wednesday, October 2
12pm until supplies run out
Lealman Exchange Community Center
5175 45th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Event is first come, first served

learn more here.

PASCO COUNTY

Comfort Stations

Pasco is opening two comfort stations on the west side of the county to provide essentials to Hurricane Helene victims.

Both sites will be open beginning Sunday, Sept. 29, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., until further notice:

The City of New Port Richey is also opening a comfort station beginning Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice:

The following amenities will be available at all three locations:

  • Air Conditioning
  • Restrooms
  • Showers (bring your own toiletries)
  • Laundry (bring your own supplies)
  • Charging stations

Pasco County is also extending services at our Points of Distribution (POD) locations at Hudson Library Parking Lot and J. Ben Harrill Recreations Complex Parking Lot to ensure anyone displaced by the storm will have access to food and water.  Both sites are open to drive-in customers daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., while supplies last.

HERNANDO COUNTY

Mobile personal hygiene care trailer

Beginning Sunday, Sept. 29, a mobile personal hygiene care trailer is available on Hernando Beach at 4054 Shoal Line Blvd, providing showers, restrooms and laundry services. For reference, this is where the old R Beach restaurant was located. You must bring your own soap, towels, laundry detergent, etc.Pasco is opening two comfort stations on the west side of the county to provide essentials to Hurricane Helene victims.

Family Resource Center

Pick up supplies, information, resources and meals at the Family Resource Center at the Weeki Wachee Area Club, open daily throughout the week, 9 am – 5 pm. The address is 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607. The Family Resource Center is hosted by Health and Human Services, United Way of Hernando County, Red Cross of Central Florida and the Florida Department of Health.

Water and ready-made meals

Fire Station 6 in Hernando Beach has water and ready-made meals / MRES available as a self-serving station.