How To Help Tampa Area Residents Affected By Hurricane Helene

TAMPA, FL — In the days since Hurricane Helene brought strong winds and record storm surge flooding to the Tampa Bay area, many residents are still sifting through the wreckage of their homes and businesses.

Luckily, there is help available to those affected by the storm. There are also plenty of ways for others to help those impacted by Helene.

If you're wondering how you can assist in recovery efforts, here are a few places to start, according to officials and various sources including the Tampa Bay Times, WTSP and more:

How To Help

DONATE

Donate to the American Red Cross by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word HELENE to 90999. Financial donations for Hurricane Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

Donate to The Salvation Army by visiting helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

Americares teams are coordinating the delivery of medicines, relief supplies and emergency funding to support health services. Visit its website to donate.

The Florida Disaster Fund is a privately funded state organization dedicated to helping communities respond to disasters. Contribute online via the Paypal Donation page.

Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters is a statewide group of nonprofits that work to help people impacted by disasters. Learn more and donate at voadflorida.wpengine.com.

Donate to Metropolitan Ministries, which works with 65 neighborhood partners to help families across Tampa Bay. Donations help people access food, water, shelter and supplies after Helene. Donate online at metromin.org.

211 Tampa Bay Cares is working to connect people to resources like food, mental health services, housing and veteran support. Donate at 211tampabay.org.

Gulf High School is working with the Pasco Education Foundation to accept donations for families impacted by the storm. Visit bit.ly/pascohurricanerelief to donate.

The Pinellas Education Foundation plans to use donations to help teachers, students and classrooms affected by the storm. Donate online at pinellaseducation.org.

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. View locations and hours here.

VOLUNTEER

USF's Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting, training, and providing education on emergency preparedness within the University of South Florida and its surrounding communities. See volunteer opportunities here.

Chef José Andrés’ nonprofit organization, World Central Kitchen, is serving free meals across Florida. To sign up for available volunteer shifts, visit wck.org.

Feeding Tampa Bay’s Emergency Response Volunteer Team needs volunteers to work at local emergency operations centers to distribute food, hygiene items and water. Sign up at volunteer.feedingtampabay.org/disaster-response. You can also donate here.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay is part of a national organization, which also has locations in Central Florida and North Central Florida. Visit rttb.org to learn about volunteer opportunities.

See other volunteer opportunities related to Hurricane Helene recovery at VolunteerFlorida.org.

How To Find Help

GENERAL RESOURCES

FEMA assistance is available to residents who experienced damages or losses due to Hurricane Helene. Financial help is available for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app or 1-800-621-3362.

U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.

Find a food pantry or a food distribution event at feedingtampabay.org or text FTBFYI at 833-530-3663.

For clean-up assistance, call the Hurricane Crisis Clean Up Hotline at 844-965-1386.

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

If you need mental health support, counselors are available to talk via the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The line is open 24 hours a day. Text ‘talkwithus’ to 66746.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The Tampa Emergency Hotline has been reactivated to answer residents' questions regarding Hurricane Helene recovery. Call 833-TPA-INFO (872-4636). Operating hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The McKay Bay Transfer Station is extending its operating hours to accommodate the increased debris. City of Tampa residents can dispose of accepted items at no additional charge. See a full list of accepted items and disposal requirements.

Hillsborough County residents should report damage using the Hurricane Helene Damage Reporting Form, which helps officials connect residents with local recovery resources. Complete the form at HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment. Residents who need assistance in completing the form should call (833) HC-STORM or 833-427-8676.

Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa opened seven comfort stations to help residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Three comfort stations are in the city of Tampa and four other locations are in Town 'N Country, Apollo Beach, and Ruskin. Find Comfort Station locations and hours of operation.

Hillsborough County will be collecting storm debris from County neighborhoods most heavily affected by Hurricane Helene. Residents in the County's collection areas impacted by flooding should place debris curbside without blocking the roadway or storm drains. To learn more, visit the pickup map.

If you need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene, call 844-965-1386 for cleanup assistance. Crisis Cleanup will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups, and faith communities who may be able to assist.

Income-eligible residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City and Temple Terrace who have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene may be eligible to receive temporary hotel assistance. For further details and eligibility requirements, please call 813-675-3450.

FEMA's Hillsborough County Disaster Recovery Center is located at Hillsborough Community College at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview.

MANATEE COUNTY

Distribution sites for water, ready-to-eat meals and tarps have opened at the following locations. All sites are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• GT Bray Park – 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
• Kingfish Boat Ramp – 752 Manatee Ave. Holmes Beach
• Blackstone Park – 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
• Wakeland Support Center – E 1812 27th St. E., Bradenton
• City of Bradenton Parking Garage – 3rd Ave. W. & 10th St. W.

A Red Cross shelter is open at First Baptist (1306 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton) for those displaced by the storm.

The Lena Road Landfill will be open for those who wish to dispose of hurricane debris. Manatee County residents will need to show proof of residency to waive tipping fees for hurricane-related debris only.

To help Manatee County residents, the county is waiving residential and commercial property building permits through Dec. 31 for standard door and window replacement, standard roof replacement, standard electrical (minor electrical repairs) and standard residential (alteration for interior repair from water intrusion). Learn more here.

FEMA's Manatee County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 6410 Rangeland Pkwy. in Lakewood Ranch. The center is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., seven days a week.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The County Information Center remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. 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.

Pinellas County opened three sites where barrier island residents affected by Hurricane Helene can receive free food, water and tarps while supplies last. The sites are located at:

• 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

Several cooling 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.

The Florida Department of Financial Services will host an Insurance Village from Oct. 4-6 at 1501 N. Belcher Rd. in 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 information, call 1.877.MyFLCFO or go to preparefl.com.

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

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 888-431-1998 or chat online at careaboutme.org.

FEMA’s Pinellas County Disaster Recovery Center is located at Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr. in Largo.

PASCO COUNTY

Pasco County is offering an online tool to report storm damage from Hurricane Helene. The tool is to report structural damage to homes and businesses only. Learn more here.

Pasco County has extended services at two distribution sites to ensure anyone displaced by the storm will have access to food and water. The sites at the Hudson Library parking lot and J. Ben Harrill Recreations Complex are open to drive-in customers from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.

The county has provided cooling stations for residents to access air conditioning, restrooms, showers, laundry and charging stations. You must bring your own toiletries and laundry supplies. The sites are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and located at:

• Hudson Library | 8012 Library Rd, Hudson
• J Ben Harrill Recreation Complex | 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd, Holiday
• Aripeka Baptist Church | 18731 Aripeka Rd
• Green Key Location | 6435 US-19, New Port Richey

Pasco County is offering free Hurricane Helene-related debris drop-off at the West Pasco Resource Recovery Center, located at 14606 Hays Rd. in Spring Hill. The facility will be open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. until further notice. Proof of residency is required.

The BayCare Mobile Crisis Response Team is available for Pasco County residents in need of mental health services. Call 727-372-HELP (4357).

Pasco County offers this "What's Next" storm guide for tips on rebuilding, filing insurance claims and more.

POLK COUNTY

Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Division will collect hurricane debris that does not meet residential collection guidelines and other materials. Waste must be hurricane-related. More information can be found online.