Rebuilding Together Aids Hurricane Response, Opens Distribution Center

TAMPA, FL — On the first anniversary of Hurricane Ian, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay reinforced its its commitment to the community by unveiling its state-of-the-art hurricane response distribution center.

Situated at 5148 Le Tourneau Circle in Tampa, this expansive 5,000-square-foot facility is equipped with essential supplies vital for post-hurricane relief and rehabilitation.

Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28 in southwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane
Scale), producing catastrophic storm surge, damaging winds and historic freshwater flooding across much of central and northern Florida. Ian was responsible for more than 150 direct and indirect deaths and over $112 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history and the third-costliest in United States history, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Designed to be a beacon of hope and provide immediate response during critical times, the Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay distribution center will house tools, drywall, flooring, plumbing and roofing materials, mucking and gutting supplies as well as trailers and response vehicles, ensuring a swift and effective outreach to neighborhoods immediately following a storm.

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To commemorate this milestone, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday morning where community leaders and guests including Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo, ToolBANK CEO Patty Russart, Tidal Basin Senior Project Manager Chris Mewes and Rebuilding Together Executive Director Jose Garcia were in attendance.

“On this poignant anniversary of Hurricane Ian, our heartfelt thoughts are with those whose lives were irrevocably changed by the storm,” said Garcia. “Our new hurricane response distribution center stands as a testament to Rebuilding Together’s unwavering dedication to our community. It’s more than just a facility; it’s a promise that we’re here, prepared and ready to help when disaster strikes.”

Since October 2022, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay and Rebuilding Together Central Florida have:

• Rebuilt 606 homes
• Are working on 74 more homes
• Spent $3.9 million
• Used more than 5,000 volunteers

Number of homes rebuilt by county:

• Pinellas: 20
• Hillsborough: 164
• Manatee: 21
• DeSoto: 22
• Sarasota: 41
• Charlotte: 35
• Lee: 141
• Collier: 9
• Volusia: 29
• Seminole: 15
• Orange: 66
• Osceola:16
• Polk: 27

"RTTB’s mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives," Garcia said. "We achieve this by providing members of our shared communities with imperative home repairs, housing, education and other forms of assistance free of cost, bringing their homes to not just a habitable state but one that is safe and healthy and that they and their families can thrive in.

He said the organization has addressed such critical issues as leaking roofs, problematic ducts that aggravate asthma symptoms in children and installing safety features like grab bars for elderly residents.

The nonprofit also constructs new homes.

Following Hurricane Ian, RTTB was designated the lead affiliate for statewide response and recovery efforts, extending its service area to heavily impacted communities in Southwest and Central Florida.