Chemical Explosion, Ice Giveaway, Stan Lee

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from the past day or so:

Hurricane Irma Damaged More Than 200 Homes In Pasco

As Pasco County residents continue to recover from Hurricane Irma’s visit earlier in the week, officials have released preliminary statistics related to the storm’s impacts.

3 Injured In Lakeland Explosion

A chemical explosion at The Ruthvens warehouses off Drane Field Road has left three people injured.

Hurricane Irma Aftermath: Florida Suspends Some Fees For Drivers

As residents in all 67 Florida counties struggle to recover from Hurricane Irma’s devastating visit earlier this week, the state has announced waivers on some driver license and motor vehicle fees. The waiver will remain in place for several weeks.

Stan Lee Set To Attend MegaCon Tampa Bay

Stan Lee knows a thing or two about superheroes. After Hurricane Irma passed through the Tampa Bay region, the 94-year-old Spider-Man creator will attend MegaCon Tampa Bay for the first time to help one of the largest charitable superheroes in the state.

Free Ice, Water At Tampa Bay Area Winn-Dixie Stores

Tampa Bay residents desperate to find ice and water are in luck. Winn-Dixie will give away 40,000 pounds of ice and 1,500 cases of water at various stores on Friday and Saturday. Semi-trucks will be in the store’s parking lots handing out the ice and water for free while supplies last.

Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued For Tampa Bay’s Weekend

Folks in the Tampa Bay area hoping for a few days to dry out after Hurricane Irma’s run through the region earlier in the week are out of luck. The National Weather Service says more rain is expected, adding to ongoing concerns about flooding.

‘Angels’ From Missouri Deliver Post-Irma Help To Tampa

Michael and Amber Myers may call Missouri home, but police say they more than earned “honorary Tampa citizen” status Thursday when they showed up to help with the city’s Hurricane Irma recovery efforts.

Photo via the Pasco County Facebook page by county photographer Alex Fasano