One Year After Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Tampa Bay’s Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Tampa Bay One Year After Hurricanes Helene and Milton: A Community’s Resilience Shines Through

TAMPA, Fla. — One year ago, the Tampa Bay area faced the wrath of back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, leaving behind a trail of destruction that many thought would take years to recover from. Today, as the community reflects on the past, signs of resilience and recovery are evident, though the scars of those storms remain.

Hurricane Helene unleashed historic flooding and a powerful storm surge, inundating neighborhoods and displacing families. Just days later, Hurricane Milton followed with violent winds exceeding 90 miles per hour, ripping roofs off homes and plunging communities into darkness.

In the aftermath, local nonprofit Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL) emerged as a beacon of hope, providing millions of dollars in essential repairs to homeowners who otherwise would have been left to fend for themselves. The organization reports that it continues to receive between 50 to 75 requests for assistance each week, a testament to the ongoing challenges many residents face.

“Nine out of ten people applying for assistance through RTGFL usually receive some form of aid,” said Lance Lee, Vice President of Operations for RTGFL. “There are still hundreds of homeowners in communities that are still ravaged by this storm. You see roof damage, window damage, and homeowners who can’t safely access their homes.”

One such homeowner is Veronica Peterson, a Tampa resident of 21 years. When a tree crashed into her roof during Milton’s onslaught, her modest income and homeowners insurance fell woefully short of covering the extensive damage. After navigating the labyrinth of insurance claims and FEMA denials, Peterson found herself in dire straits.

“I had to have at least $230,000 worth of damage before they would even help me,” she recalled. “I was left feeling hopeless.”

But Peterson’s story took a turn when she discovered RTGFL. “I thank them very much for the work they did with me,” she said, emphasizing the importance of spreading the word about the organization’s services. “I think other people should know about it.”

RTGFL has coordinated with licensed contractors statewide to facilitate repairs ranging from roof reconstruction to mold removal. Their commitment to the community is unwavering. “The damage that was done may take years to fully recover from,” Lee added. “But we will be there until the last home is repaired.”

As Tampa continues to rebuild, the message from RTGFL is clear: help is still available. For those in need of assistance or wishing to contribute to the recovery efforts, more information can be found at Rebuilding Together Greater Florida.

While the scars of Hurricanes Helene and Milton may linger, the spirit of Tampa Bay shines brighter than ever, fueled by a community determined to rise from the ashes and rebuild stronger together.