Thousands of Pasco County residents and an unknown number of business owners have begun what will be a lengthy process for many to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.
The powerful Category 4 hurricane passed alongside the county’s west side in the early evening hours of Friday, Sept. 27, before it made landfall later that day on Florida’s Big Bend area.
Both of the unincorporated areas of Hudson and Holiday sustained widespread damage from storm surges of four- to five-feet accompanied by heavy rainfall as Hurricane Helene passed by on her way northward.
Pasco Information Office spokespeople reported that damage assessments had been made at more than 10,000 locations throughout the county as of Monday, Sept. 30. It was also reported that this number was subject to change, as damage assessment teams would continue to make countywide inspections.
It was also advised that using the Pasco County online reporting tool – mypas.co/ReportDamage – would be the fastest way to report storm damage to homes and businesses and to get help and schedule assessments with Pasco County. “This was a major hurricane with incredible impact to life and property across our state. We stand united as Floridians and are ready to help our neighbors in need. We are about to see the best of Florida,” state Sen. Danny Burgess said Sept. 27 in a widely distributed email message.
Burgess, who is a Republican who represents District 23 in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, also said that he wanted to “salute those who helped our community
get through this storm: our emergency responders, linemen, those who work in our Emergency Operations Centers, and everyone else who kept us safe. You have made us all proud.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a recent press conference in the Hudson area that hundreds of travel trailers were available throughout the state which residents could stay in for between six and 18 months while they repair or rebuild their homes. DeSantis added that officials are working to provide more travel trailers.
The State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are providing the travel trailers.
Residents can apply for a travel trailer by calling the Florida Hope Line at 1-833-GET-HOPE. The Hope Line directs those affected by the storm to the resources they need to recover, according to DeSantis.
Residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene can apply for financial help at disasterassistance.gov.
DeSantis also said while he was in Hudson that it was anticipated that power would soon be available to most Pasco County customers who had experienced outages. However, it is necessary, county officials said, to have homes inspected by electricians before the power is turned back on. This is because of the danger caused by salt water having flooded many of those homes.
Thirty-five fires were reported as a result of storm surges from Hurricane Helene entering residences and shorting out the electrical systems, according to PIO.
Pasco County opened three Comfort Stations on the county’s western side on Sept. 30 that will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. according to PIO.
They are located at the Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, in Hudson; the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd., in Holiday; and Aripeka Baptist Church, 18731 Aripeka Road, in Aripeka.
Food and supplies are available at the locations in Hudson and Holiday while supplies last.
All three of the stations have air conditioning, restrooms, charging stations and showers and laundry. People need to bring their own supplies for the showers and laundry.
The purpose of the Comfort Stations is to provide essentials to Hurricane Helene victims, according to PIO.
The City of New Port Richey also has a Comfort Station located at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St., New Port Richey. It will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “until further notice.”
Pasco County has begun picking up storm debris in affected neighborhoods.
All storm debris should be separated, whether it is taken to a drop off site or left at the curb. The drop-off site is located at the West Pasco Resource Recovery Center, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill.
Yard debris (branches, leaves, etc.) should not be mixed with home debris (mattresses, chairs, couches, etc.) or with household garbage.
Refrigerators and freezers must be emptied and the doors must either be secured or removed.
Only residential storm debris is eligible for free disposal. Commercial debris will not be accepted.
Both the West Pasco Resource Recovery Center and the East Pasco Transfer Station located at 9626 Handcart Road in Dade City will be open for regular garbage drop-off.
Visiting pascocountyfl.net for more information about Hurricane Helene’s impact on Pasco County and what recovery resources are available.
