Immediate Needs - Hurricane Helene Recovery

A. Hillsborough County Comfort Stations

Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa opened comfort stations to help residents affected by Hurricane Helene. There are comfort stations in the City of Tampa and other locations are in Town 'N Country, Apollo Beach, and Ruskin. The comfort stations offer showers, restrooms, ice, washers and dryers for laundry, and charging stations for phones, laptops, and other communications devices.

• No ID required at Comfort Stations.
• Hot food or boxed meals will be served at all Comfort Station locations at approximately lunch and dinner times.
• If you need transportation assistance to and from a comfort station, call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Comfort Station Locations

Comfort stations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice at the following locations:

• Marjorie Park Marina, 97 Columbia Dr., Tampa, FL 33606 
• Desoto Park, 2617 Corrine St., Tampa, FL 33605 
• Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572 
• Ruskin Park & Recreation Center, 901 6th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570 
• Sandy Perrone Park, 5120 Kelly Rd., Tampa, FL 33615 
• Skyway Sports Complex & Park, 3901 George Rd., Tampa, FL 33634 

Additional Comfort Options for Displaced Residents

People without access to adequate air conditioning also can take refuge in public places, including libraries or shopping malls. A full list of library locations and hours is available online. Please note that some library locations are closed due to storm damage.

Residents also can refill water bottles in County parks, libraries, or government buildings across the county. Use the Water Bottle Filling Station map to find your nearest station.

Residents are encouraged to report unmet needs due to impacts from Hurricane Helene by completing this easy-to-use online form at HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment.

If you need assistance completing the form, call (833) HC-STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information line. The information will be routed to the appropriate County department, which will respond within 72 hours.

B. Temporary Shelters Allowed on Residential Property for Those Affected by Hurricane Helene

Hillsborough County residents who have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene are allowed to place temporary shelter on their residential property. According to Florida Statutes 553.7922, temporary shelters can remain on the property for up to three years after the date of the storm's emergency declaration or until a certificate of occupancy is issued on the permanent residential structure on the property. A state of emergency was declared on Sept. 23, 2024. Temporary shelters include a recreational vehicle, trailer, or similar structure.

C. Required Electrical Inspections for Residents Who Experienced Flooding

Residents in unincorporated Hillsborough County that experienced flooding in their home due to Hurricane Helene should ensure their power remains off until a licensed electrician has inspected their electrical system for safety.

Here are the steps residents should take:

1. Have a licensed electrical contractor inspect the home’s electrical system.
2. If there is no damage found or repairs are minor and do not require a permit, Tampa Electric customers located in unincorporated Hillsborough County are required to have the licensed electrician complete the Tampa Electric Company Service Release Agreement Residential/Commercial (Form E-268).
3. Once completed, residents should submit the form to TECO's One Source team at: Release@tecoenergy.com.
4. If there is damage that requires a permit, an electrician will need to make necessary repairs and call for required inspections from Hillsborough County Building Officials before power can be restored. See the information on this page about emergency permitting for residential and commercial structures through Hillsborough County Development Services.

Before hiring a professional, make sure the individual holds a valid contractor license and is insured to work in Hillsborough County. Residents can visit the County’s Selecting a Contractor in Hillsborough County page for information.

Residents located in the cities of Tampa, Plant City or Temple Terrace who may have been impacted by flood waters due to Hurricane Helene, should contact their local government for any special instructions.

D. Flooded Areas with Well Water and Septic Systems

Hillsborough County residents who utilize wells and are in doubt about their water supply should follow local or state health department drinking and bathing advisories.

Further, septic drain fields will not work until underground water has receded, so septic systems should not be used immediately after floods. Septic lines may have been broken during flooding or other storms. Contact a local plumber or septic service immediately.

For information on long-term water quality conditions in the area or information on home water treatment devices, contact the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (850) 245-4250 or email at AskEH@flhealth.gov. Residents can also reach out to the the Water Quality Association (WQA) at (630) 505-0160 for assistance. Learn about comprehensive best practices regarding safe use of wells after flooding.

E. Hotel Stays

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.

F. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane Helene Individual and Household Assistance

On Sept. 28, 2024, FEMA declared Hillsborough County eligible for Individual Assistance through the Individual and Households Program (IHP). This program provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricane Helene. Assistance and services may cover uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.

Read the FEMA Resources Fact Sheet

Before you apply

If you have insurance (homeowners, flood, auto, etc.), file a claim as soon as possible. Losses already covered by insurance cannot be covered by FEMA.

To apply for Individual and Household Assistance

Visit Disasterassistance.gov. From this page, you can review the application process, apply for Individual Assistance, and check the status of your application.

• Deadline to apply is, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024.

For application help

• FEMA’s FAQs page will answer most application and technical questions.
• For help completing your application, call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.
• For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk at , (800) 745-0243, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.

G. Disaster Recovery Center

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM), and Hillsborough County have opened a Disaster Recovery Center

Disaster Recovery Center
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) at The Regent
6437 Watson Rd., Riverview, FL 33578.

Hours of operation:
Monday, Sept. 30, 1 to 6 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 6, 9 AM to 6 PM

Representatives from FEMA, the Florida Small Business Administration (SBA), and stakeholders will be present to assist residents who want to file a FEMA application for Individual Assistance through the Individual and Households Program (IHP) for Hurricane Helene.