News to Know

TampaBayBeaches.com/HurricaneResources has been fully updated with all FEMA documents/information, SBA (residential and business), general business information, and a list of open businesses.

If you are not an ACTIVE member of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber and you would like to continue to receive important updates and benefits; email Robin@tampabaybeaches.com
We have a variety of options to help the business community in these difficult times.

DEBRIS: The debris collection continues and will continue for quite some time.  Each day we are making progress.

PERMITTING:  Each beach community has different hours and processes for their building permitting.  Please go to your city's website to locate this information.  
Treasure Island: https://www.mytreasureisland.org/news_detail_T13_R219.php
St. Pete Beach:  https://stpetebeach.org/813/Post-Helene-Milton-Recovery-Updates
Madeira Beach:   mgoconnect.org/cp/portal (permit fees waived)
Redington Beach:  (partner with Redington Shores)
Redington Shores: https://townofredingtonshores.com/
North Redington Beach:  Using SafeBuilt (17985 Gulf Boulevard)
Indian Rocks Beach: https://www.indian-rocks-beach.com/residential-information/permit-information/
Indian Shores:  permits@myindianshores.com.
Belleair:  https://www.townofbelleair.com/401/Building
Belleair Bluffs:  https://www.belleairbluffs.org/permits.aspx

-Robin Miller, CEO
727.385.7686

We wanted to respect your prep and evacuations, but also provide some final communication.  Thank you to those who have followed the orders.

We will spend this "wait time" developing recovery protocols and resources for all of you.  I assure you we will provide as much as we can to fulfill the needs of the barrier islands.

IMPORTANT NOTES: (If you did not leave, I hope you did!! Please know you will lose electricity, potable water on barrier islands, and in some islands sewage use.)

FROM PINELLAS COUNTY:

The public is NOT allowed to cross the bridges once they are closed and should NOT cross the bridges, even if there are no physical barriers or officers there.

• Sunshine Skyway Bridge –closed when sustained wind speeds exceed 45 mph. Based on that, transportation officials anticipate a closure of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge by Wednesday afternoon.
• Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges are monitored by FHP. FDOT is notified when water is on the roads leading to the bridge. FDOT closese bridges when FHP deems it necessary for safety. Transportation officials anticipate this may become necessary by Wednesday afternoon. 
• Courtney Campbell Causeway – This bridge is monitored by the Tampa Police Department and the Clearwater Police Department. FDOT works with these agencies to close this bridge when the water gets close to the approaches and makes it dangerous to drive. Officials anticipate this Causeway may close by Wednesday afternoon.

*Locked bridges are closed per Pinellas: https://pinellas.gov/news/pinellas-countys-three-movable-bridges-to-be-locked-at-12-p-m-tuesday/

Authorities will reopen the bridges as soon as it is safe to do so, Check www.FL511.com for more info.
 
BARRIER ISLANDS:  Are closed!!

PLAN RECOVERY:  Think about what you need and should do to post-storm.  Build your resource list now. www.tampabaybeaches.com will be updated often. We are here for you.

Charge your devices.  We will update you after the storm passes, unless otherwise necessary.

(Yes I am safe thank you to those who have asked. Our team is anxious to help each of you.

Stay Safe,
Robin, Roxanne, Tina & Alex (and our board of directors)
Here for you and your community.
727.385.7686
 

Good morning everyone:

 

As we all know hurricane Milton is coming and I hope everyone has made preparation for themselves and their loved ones.  You should be in your safe place or completing last minute details.  Hopefully, everyone is prepared as we can be.

 

Evacuations - Shelters

 

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for all residents, mobile homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in evacuation zones A, B and C countywide as well as mobile homes.    PLEASE, PLEASE if you are in an evacuation zone, EVACUATE to a hotel, friends, family or shelter in a non-evacuation zone. 

 

Ten public shelters are open, including specific shelters for people with special needs or pets. Three additional shelters are opening at 9:30 a.m. today with plenty of space, including Palm Harbor Middle School in Palm Harbor, New Heights Elementary and Fairmount Park Elementary, both in St. Petersburg.

The State of Florida is offering free shuttles to shelters. Reservations are not required. Times and locations can be found at FloridaDisaster.org/Updates (see “Evacuation Assistance”). Call 800-729-3413 for more information.

 

During and After a Storm

As a storm approaches and gains strength, there will come a point in time when it is no longer safe to evacuate and everyone will need to shelter in place. Once winds reach 40 to 50 mph conditions, responders will not be able to respond to emergencies. If you choose to shelter in your home instead of evacuating, you must be prepared to react to certain dangers. Here are some things you can do to keep you and your family safe during and after a storm.

During the Storm

If floodwater starts coming into your home:

Do not go outside and wade through the water. Floodwater and storm surge can move very quickly, and live power lines could be hidden in the water. Stay inside. Stand or sit off the floor, like on a bed or table. If the water becomes too high, get on your roof if necessary.

If there is a tornado or high sustained winds:

Get to the lowest level of your home and take shelter in an interior room without windows, like a closet or hallway. Lie on the floor under a table or other sturdy object if you cannot make it to a safe room. Curl up and cover your head with a mattress or another item.

If you are outside, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If you cannot get to a safe building, find a low area like a ditch. Lay down and protect your head. Do not take shelter under a highway bridge or overpass.

If the power goes out for up to six hours:

Move perishable foods from the refrigerator into an ice-filled cooler. Put a thermometer in the cooler to make sure it stays below 40 degrees. Meats and other perishable foods above 40 degrees will spoil after two hours.

If the power stays out for up to two days:

Food in the freezer can be stored safely for two days if you keep the freezer door shut. Once the storm passes, cook any unspoiled food outside and consider sharing with your neighbors. Beyond two days, you will need nonperishable food. Learn more about food safety.

If the water supply is affected:

Monitor the news for boil water advisories, which tell you if there is a possibility of contamination. Under a boil water advisory, you can disinfect the water using these methods:

• Boiling: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil for one minute to ensure bacteria, viruses or parasites are gone.
• Bleaching: Add 1/8 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water and let stand for 30 minutes. Use bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Bleaching is less effective than boiling, but will work if there is no way to boil water.

If there is a sewer outage:

Do not flush your toilet if a sewage outage is announced. Flushing could cause sewage to backup into your home. Use a portable toilet, like one used on a boat or camper, or set one up by using one of the following methods:

• Line a five-gallon bucket with a heavy-duty trash bag. Make sure the bucket has a tight lid. Use household bleach as a disinfectant.
• Turn off your outside water supply. Empty the water from the toilet bowl, and line the empty bowl with a heavy-duty trash bag.

Do not use cat litter. It cannot be flushed after the sewer system is running. When you learn that the sewer is operating again, dump the contents of your emergency toilet into your household toilet and flush. Thoroughly sanitize your emergency toilet with bleach before storing or disposing. Bleach can be used as a disinfectant for cleaning by mixing nine parts of water to one part bleach.

If phone, cable and cell service is down:

• Use a battery- or crank-powered radio. Radio broadcasts are usually the last communication source to go down, and AM stations can broadcast longer than FM. Severe weather alerts are also transmitted through the NOAA Weather Alert Radio.
• Texting messaging may work when other services do not. If your phone’s digital clock works, then you can send and receive texts. Social media and mobile apps may be working as well.
• Keep your phone and other devices charged. Use your back-up battery charger and solar-battery chargers. Use a vehicle to to charge your devices. If you have power and your neighbors don’t, invite them to recharge their devices.

 

I will continue to provide information as I can.  Thank you and please remain safe

 

 

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276   All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

Hurricane Updates October 8,  2024

Attention Dunedin Causeway Residents The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office plans to close the Dunedin Causeway at 7 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2024, due to the County mandatory Zone A, B, and C evacuations. The Dunedin Causeway is entirely in an Evacuation Zone A. The City of Dunedin will also be shutting down the sewer service to the Dunedin Causeway at the time of the Causeway closure until after Hurricane Milton passes, in order to protect our infrastructure. Plan to evacuate all residences prior to closure of the Dunedin Causeway and seek safe shelter in a non-evacuation zone. City Updates City facilities will be closed Wednesday Oct 9 through Friday, October 11. There will not be any interruption in drinking water at this time. Please disregard rumors. Donation Distribution Center at the Community Center will be closed the rest of the week. Environmental Day is canceled.  The Arts & Crafts Show scheduled for this weekend is canceled.  Movies in the Park scheduled for this weekend is canceled. The Dunedin Pipe Band Celebration Parade is canceled. Regular Trash Collection Regular Collections are suspended for Wednesday, Thursday and most likely Friday customers and will resume as soon as conditions allow. Debris Update The citizens debris site at Jerry Lake Recreation Complex is closed due to limited space and our vendor's inability to empty the roll-offs. All debris must be containerized—no dumping on the ground. Please take your debris to the Pinellas County Solid Waste facility before 6 p.m via the 34th Street Gate.  Additionally, we will continue debris pickup in neighborhoods impacted by storm surge from Helene Wednesday, Oct 9, until weather conditions prevent it. Thank you for your cooperation.

Alert Pinellas  Receive free alerts about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for Alert Pinellas, an emergency notification service for Pinellas County Residents. Learn more

Latest Storm Updates on the City Website  Please visit our Hurricane Page on our website to learn what you need to do and get the latest timed updates!  Learn more

County Information Center Questions about Hurricane Milton? The County Information Center will be open 24/7 for storm questions at 727-464-4333.  Learn more

Please Conserve Water Limit running dishwashers and washing machines. Turn off all sprinklers and check your automatic settings. Avoid pressure washing, car washing, or any other outdoor use of water that is not necessary. Fill up your bathtub with water in case you need it to flush your toilets manually.  Learn more

Subscribe to our Newsletter Subscribe to DunediNEWS, our weekly e-newsletter, for direct updates every Thursday. Stay informed without relying on social media, and receive special storm/hurricane updates for added safety. It’s the best way to stay in the know.  Subscribe here

MEETINGS & AGENDAS  |  CAREERS  |  EVENTS

City of Dunedin 737 Louden Ave Dunedin, FL 34698 Tel: 727-298-3001 communications@dunedinfl.net

10.07.24

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is urging policyholders and other Florida residents to prepare as Hurricane Milton is forecast to make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region and impact the I-4 corridor in Central Florida.

Milton is expected to bring high winds, rain, and a significant storm surge to a waterlogged region still recovering from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane that came ashore September 26 and caused significant flooding along Florida’s Gulf Coast. 

“We’re asking storm-weary Citizens policyholders and all Floridians to again prepare themselves for a major hurricane,” said Tim Cerio, Citizens President/CEO and Executive Director. “Now is the time to prepare. Pay attention and heed the advice of local emergency officials, Citizens will be there to assist soon after the storm passes.”

To help our policyholders stay informed, Citizens’ website features a Storm Tracker feed, which delivers real-time National Hurricane Center updates directly to your desktop and mobile device. Citizens also offers storm preparation and response information through Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) at @citizens_fla.

Citizens has partnered with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) to bring the latest news about catastrophic weather impacting your area. FPREN updates can be heard on local public radio stations and by downloading their free Florida Storms app.

While staying connected with local emergency preparations, policyholders should:

• Verify that Citizens has up-to-date contact and mortgage company information. Review your information on record with Citizens through myPolicy or by contacting your Citizens agent.
• Ensure all key property and family information (insurance policies, health records, financial records, pet records, identification details, home inventory, etc.) are stored in a safe, waterproof, and easy-to-access location.
• Pack a disaster supply kit, learn your evacuation route, and develop a family communication plan that includes emergency contact information. Don’t forget to create a plan for your pets! Not all emergency shelters allow pets.

If you suffer property damage, remember to Contact Citizens First online through myPolicy or by calling 866.411.2742 to report a claim. Representatives are available 24/7. More information can be found on the Citizens website.

See the full press release

Check out Out Coast.  It has a lot of information that will assit you with questions and answers to help you navigate through the effects of Hurricane Milton. 

Good morning everyone!

 

As everyone should be aware of now, we have yet another storm, Milton, coming our way that will most likely be knockin’ on our doors probably Wednesday in some fashion since the storm area pretty much covers the western coast of Florida.   We still have time to prepare and should begin the preparation process all over again.

 

Below is information regarding preparation for Milton as well as continued recovery efforts from Helene.  I will try to continue to provide you with updates.   

 

SANDBAGS

 

With impending storm Milton, sandbag operations will open beginning with John Chesnut Park and Walsingham Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS

 

To register for the Special Needs Evacuation Program, please call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333. DO NOT wait until the last minute. Transportation will NOT be available once dangerous winds begin.

 

Eligibility

 

Residents of all ages who have special needs are eligible for the program. Some examples include but are not limited to:

Needing oxygen.

 

Requiring assistance with routine care and medications.

 

Requiring mobility assistance.

 

Dependence on electricity.

 

Requiring transportation assistance.

 

How to Register

 

Call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333.

 

Debris

 

The county is working diligently to get debris picked up and started residential collection of Hurricane Helene debris in the unincorporated area of the county on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Debris collection will be implemented in zones.  The County is currently working to have FEMA allow the County dumping site to be opened for debris.

IMPORTANT: Storm debris that is in bags and/or not separated will NOT be picked up. Storm debris must be loose and separated by type: vegetative material, construction and demolition debris (doors, drywall), mixed goods (mattresses, furniture) and household appliances. Refrigerators MUST be empty.

Disposal sites for individuals and commercial companies in unincorporated Pinellas. See listings.

Sand and Storm Debris Cleanup

Storm Debris Collection

Pinellas County started residential collection of Hurricane Helene debris in the unincorporated area of the county on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Debris collection will be implemented in zones.

IMPORTANT: Storm debris that is in bags and/or not separated will NOT be picked up. Storm debris must be loose and separated by type: vegetative material, construction and demolition debris (doors, drywall), mixed goods (mattresses, furniture) and household appliances. Refrigerators MUST be empty.

Disposal sites for individuals and commercial companies in unincorporated Pinellas. See listings.

Accepted Storm Debris Items

Vegetative Debris

• Logs
• Plants
• Tree Branches

Construction & Demolition

• Building Materials
• Carpet
• Drywall
• Furniture Lumber
• Mattresses
• Plumbing
• Fence

Household Appliances

• Air conditioners
• Dishwashers
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Stoves
• Washers and Dryers
• Water Heaters

Storm Debris Items NOT Accepted

Normal Household Trash

• Normal household trash and bagged debris of any kind will not be picked up with debris as part of this program.
• You should continue to follow your normal garbage removal schedule.

Electronics

• Cell Phones

• Computers/Laptops
• Hard drives/CD Drives
• Monitors
• Smart Phones
• Tablets
• Televisions

Household Hazardous Waste

• Lithium Ion/Rechargeable Batteries
• Household chemicals
• Gasoline/Fuel
• For more information, visit pinellas.gov/where.

Residents living in a municipality should check with their city or town about the availability of debris pickup in their area. If you’re not sure if your property is located within unincorporated Pinellas or within a city/municipality, use the interactive My Neighborhood Services tool to find out. For those living on private roads or in gated communities, check with your homeowner’s association for debris collection or use the County’s residential debris management site.

The Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex cannot accept storm-related debris from residents or private haulers. The facility is not an approved site for storm debris disposal BUT Pinellas County is diligently working to have FEMA allow our site to be utilized for storm debris.  Hopefully, this will be happening soon.

Please ensure the roads are accessible for the debris haulers. All authorized debris collection crews will display a placard on the vehicles with Pinellas County’s authorized contractor: DRC

Storm Debris Collection Schedule & Map

Helene Debris Collection

Communities	Map Zone	Tentative Timeframe	Pass #
Crystal Beach; Ozona; West Palm Harbor	INONO5	Oct. 2-9	1
Unincorporated Seminole	INSW09	Oct. 2-9	1
West Lealman	INSE06	Oct. 2-9	1

 

The following locations are available for debris disposal for residents living in unincorporated Pinellas County.

Commercial haulers are NOT able to use this site.

Location	Address	Hours
Central	13600 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater	7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

 

FEMA Opened Satellite Registration Locations

 

FEMA opened satellite registration locations for assistance in the following locations:

 

Gulfport Public Library: 5501 28^th Ave S., Gulfport 

 

Enoch D Davis Center: 1111 18^th Ave S. St. Petersburg 

 

Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation: 1500 16^th St., Palm Harbor 

 

City of Madeira Beach Recreation Center: 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach 

 

City of South Pasadena: 7047 Sunset Drive S., South Pasadena  

 

Oldsmar Public Library: 400 St. Petersburg Drive E., Oldsmar 

 

Displaced After Helene?

 

Pinellas County residents displaced by Hurricane Helene have several options for seeking short- and long-term housing.

 

FEMA Displacement Assistance

FEMA Displacement Assistance helps survivors who can’t return to their home following a disaster by giving them up-front money to help with immediate housing needs. The amount of money is based on 14 days of hotel costs based on a rate chosen by the state impacted by the disaster. The assistance is a one-time payment. FEMA may provide up to two weeks of funds for temporary lodging at a hotel, motel, or the home of friends or family, for displaced applicants who apply during the registration period.

Displaced residents can apply for this and other help by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or going in-person to the Disaster Recovery Center, at Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. For more info, see FEMA Displacement Assistance Fact Sheet.

FEMA Serious Needs Assistance is also available to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. You could qualify for both forms of assistance by applying to FEMA by phone or online.

Pinellas Housing Options Website
Pinellas County has posted a list of resources to help displaced people find short- and long-term housing options, including online search tools, real estate company information, short-term rental companies, and apartment listings. Realtors and property managers are responsible for updating their available listings on their websites, but the listings and resources allow residents to more easily locate potential housing options. See Pinellas.gov/hurricane housing.

Local Emergency Shelters

The County continues to provide emergency shelters for people who need a temporary safe

place to stay while looking for a longer-term home. Call the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333 for more information on emergency sheltering, including locations that accept pets and have support for people with special medical needs. County staff is actively helping individuals and families who are at shelters find other housing options.  

 

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276   All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

 

 

Sunset Beach and Tierra Verde remain without access to drinking water.

Pinellas County has rescinded some of the precautionary boil water advisory for barrier islands south of John’s Pass after water quality testing confirmed water in the area now meets all federal and state drinking water standards.

While the advisory has been lifted for St. Pete Beach and Tierra Verde, Sunset Beach and Treasure Island are still without drinking water due to sand and debris covering service valves. There are also 450 properties without access to drinking water due to damage on private property.

The county is working with those property owners as they hire licensed plumbers to make necessary repairs on private property.

While most residents on St. Pete Beach and in Tierra Verde are now cleared to use water as normal, the county is still asking residents to continue reducing water usage to limit wastewater entering the sanitary sewer system and help prevent overflows as crews continue work to bring pump stations back online. Some precautions include taking short showers, only running full dishwashers and limiting use of washing machines.

Residents unsure of their water status or with other questions can call the Utilities customer service line at 727-464-4000. Information on recovery and resources is also available at disaster.pinellas.gov.

--

Ramon Maury CEO Maury Management Group Healthcare & Government Solutions Phone: (850)-222-1568 rm@ramonmaury.com Maurymanagementgroup.com

We are sure many are interested in the condition of East Beach. For now the officail release is below. As soon as we find out more we will get an update out.