By Arianna Smith
Hurricane Helene impacted Tampa on the night of Sept. 26, but the impacts are still present.
The storm brought intense storm surges and powerful winds, leaving citizens struggling to rebuild. AP News said the storm surge killed at least 12 people in that area.
The City of Tampa has offered resources for residents who need support from the community.
Tampa.gov/emergency has information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), free laundry service, comfort stations, and food resources.
Residents can contact FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362, apply online or apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
“Your account will not be available until 24 hours after completion,” said Crystal, a FEMA agent in Tampa.
She said an agent would reach out and request more information, accept the request or deny the application.
The city has offered locations where people can wash their clothes. The Laundromart of Tampa is located on Florida Ave and is offering help.
Carmelo Rivera is the owner of Laundromart of Tampa and said he would do anything to help people in need.
“I reached out to the city to volunteer my laundromat as well as my staff to serve the community,” Rivera said.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3, Rivera opened his laundromat and had a bunch of residents arrive at the business needing their clothes cleaned.
“I most definitely would do it again in times of need because the great Lord above has blessed me in more ways than I can count. These are the times that I can serve and bless others,” Rivera said.
He is not the only one who has supported the community after the devastation. There are clothes drives and food pantries that have offered others to donate.
One donation site is at Metropolitan Ministries Donations Warehouse. The business is located at 2101 N. Florida Ave. and has been accepting food and other donations.
Nicholas Peters, a former New York resident, went to the warehouse to drop off canned items. He said he remembers the help people needed after Hurricane Sandy and wanted to help people in need.
“My mother sent me to drop off some things we no longer eat, in case it can help somebody,” Peters said.
Resource Sites
FEMA Center Location open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekly:
- Hillsborough Community College – The Regent 6437 Watson Rd. Riverview, FL 33578
- Largo Public Library – 120 Central Park Dr. Largo, FL 33771
- Lakewood Ranch Library – 16410 Rangeland Pkwy. Bradenton, FL 34211
- Sarasota Christian Church – 2923 Ashton Rd. Sarasota, FL 34231
Comfort Stations open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily until further notice:
(Food, Water, Showers, Laundry, Restrooms, and Charging Stations)
- DeSoto Park – 2617 Corrine St. Tampa, FL 33605
- Marjorie Park – 97 Columbia Dr. Tampa, FL 33606
- Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center – 664 Golf and Sea Blvd. Apollo Beach, FL 33572
- Gandy Civic Association – 4207 W. Oklahoma Ave. Tampa, FL 33616
- 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
Sandbag Locations:
- Himes Avenue Complex – 4501 S. Himes Ave. Tampa, FL 33611
- Al Barnes Park – 2902 N. 32nd St. Tampa, FL 33605
- Public Works Annex – 1411 9th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
- Twin Lakes Park – 6700 Clark Rd. Sarasota, FL 34241
- Ed Smith Stadium (parking lot) – 2700 12th St. Sarasota, FL 34237
Other Food Resources:
- Feeding Tampa Bay – 3624 Causeway Blvd. Tampa, FL 33619
Food Donations:
- Metropolitan Ministries Donations Warehouse – 2101 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33602
- Feeding Tampa Bay – 3624 Causeway Blvd. Tampa, FL 33619
- 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares – 13921 Icot Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760
- Florida Disaster Fund – 1545 Raymond Diehl Rd. Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- The Salvation Army of Tampa – 1603 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33602
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Photo by Leah Burdick.