Tampa Bay Free Beaches News to Know

DOH-Pinellas Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:15:02 GMT

Good day.

Please see the alert below from the Department of Health.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2026

DOH-Pinellas Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness

Alert

Contact:

Thomas Iovino

thomas.iovino@flhealth.gov

727-568-8160

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) is informing residents oftwo confirmed cases of locally-acquired dengue. DOH-Pinellas and Pinellas County Mosquito

Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by conducting treatment such as increased truck fogging, aerial larviciding and localized ground inspections for breeding locations.

Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, andsometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of dengue willappear within 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

DOH-Pinellas reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking basic precautions. More information is available in English, Spanish, and Creole.

• Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.

• Apply insect repellents that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

For more information, visit the Department’s mosquito prevention webpage or view the weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call your healthcare provider.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit FloridaHealth.gov.

With spike in mosquito-borne illness detection, take extra care

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:12:59 GMT

With spike in mosquito-borne illness detection, take extra care

Pinellas County Mosquito Control has seen increased transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the county and surrounding Tampa Bay area and is urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes and prevent mosquito breeding.

The recent rainfall created plentiful habitat for mosquitoes to breed, including around parks, natural areas, homes and businesses. Mosquito-borne viruses have been detected in Pinellas County, and standing water increases risks of transmission. Mosquito Control has initiated enhanced mosquito treatments such as increased truck fogging, aerial larviciding and localized ground inspections for breeding locations.

Neighboring Hillsborough County has also recently reported confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue fever. As you travel throughout the Tampa Bay area, we encourage residents to take precautions and remain vigilant.

The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to follow the 3 Ds:

Dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed-toed shoes.
Defend using an insect repellent with a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Dump or cover standing water, which can include debris from recent rains holding water.

Pinellas County Mosquito Control works closely with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to monitor cases of mosquito-borne illness in our county and respond with mosquito treatment to reduce the risk of illness spreading. If you believe you have a mosquito-borne illness, please immediately contact the FDOH in Pinellas County at (727) 824-6932.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman 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.

The Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg bring together a panel of experts to discuss how food shapes a thriving community

Thu, 14 May 2026 21:44:18 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Morgan Whiteley

May 14, 2026 727-893-8134

mwhiteley@tampabay.com

The Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg bring together a panel of experts to discuss how food shapes a thriving community

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will host a free community conversation on Tampa Bay’s food system at the upcoming Spotlight Tampa Bay event, “Farm to Table: How Food Shapes a Thriving Community.” The forum will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity, 2333 34^th St. S., St. Petersburg.

From 5-6 p.m., explore the community resource center, which will include booths from The Sustainable Living Project, 360 Eats, the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Coalition, Healthy St. Pete, 15^th Street Farm, the American Culinary Federation’s Tampa Bay chapter, The Sustany Foundation, the Pinellas Beekeepers Association, Beech Kombucha and the Tampa Bay Times.

At 6 p.m., local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on how food shapes our region. How does the food we love get to our table? And what roles do we all play in making healthy food accessible to everyone in our community? In this free panel discussion, local residents, growers, and nonprofit and community leaders will discuss how Tampa Bay’s food system connects to every facet of our daily lives – from which foods are available to us to how much they cost – and what we can do to make the system stronger. Hear from local leaders dedicated to fighting food insecurity, farmers striving to uphold sustainable foodways and more. Plus, don’t miss our immersive tasting experience before the event.

“We believe strong communities are built when people understand the systems that shape their daily lives — including the food on our tables,” said Times CEO Conan Gallaty. “By convening this conversation with local leaders and residents, we hope to spark greater awareness, collaboration and action to ensure healthy, affordable food is accessible to everyone in our community.”

The conversation, moderated by Michelle Stark, food and dining editor at the Tampa Bay Times, will feature Rev. Howard Gunn Jr., co-founder of the Florida Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association; Emmanuel Roux, founder of 15^th Street Farm; Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of the St. Pete Free Clinic; and Monica Petrella, food system program coordinator at Homegrown Hillsborough.

“Our reliable and equitable access to nutritious food is a critical component of our health, so we must come together to talk about it,” said Dr. Kanika Tomalin, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. “When we gather to hear from experts, ask questions and learn together, we can better drive the changes needed to ensure that good health helps all of our community members thrive.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. The resource center will be held from 5-6 p.m. The panel discussion, which will include questions from the audience, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees should register at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the Spotlight Tampa Bay community conversation series, email mwhiteley@tampabay.com.

# # #

About the Tampa Bay Times

The Tampa Bay Times, winner of 14 Pulitzer Prizes, is Florida’s largest newspaper and a trusted source for news. As a locally owned and independent media organization, the Times also operates tampabay.com. In addition to its flagship publication, the company publishes the free weekly tbt* Weekend and Bay magazine, offering comprehensive coverage of local news, entertainment and lifestyles.

About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As the steward of an endowment to support health equity in Pinellas County, the foundation leads, funds, advocates and partners to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives. The foundation advances racially equitable health outcomes by improving the systems and conditions that shape them. It opened its Center for Health Equity in 2019. To learn more, visit healthystpete.foundation.

Morgan Whiteley

Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy

727-893-8134 (direct line)

mwhiteley@tampabay.com

Detour Planned for Wednesday Night: US 19 South of Northside Drive

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:44:40 GMT

Detour Planned for Wednesday Night: US 19 South of Northside Drive

Clearwater, FL – Beginning at 10 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, through 4 a.m. Thursday, February 26, a temporary detour will occur on US 19 just south of Northside Drive, weather permitting.

During this detour, motorists will have to use SR 580 (Main Street), to Belcher Road or McMullen Booth Road, and then SR 586 (Curlew Road) to access US 19. Medians will be open to motorists needing to make U-turns on either side of the work zone. Access to residents, businesses, and emergency vehicles to be maintained.

Advanced warning signs and electronic message boards will assist motorists traveling through the area. Drivers should use caution while traveling through the work zone and remain alert for construction workers.

This temporary closure is necessary for crews to perform overhead sign structure work as part of the ongoing improvements to US 19 from SR 580 to north of CR 95 in Pinellas County. For more information on this project or to sign up to receive construction updates and traffic alerts, please visit FDOTTampaBay.com

You are receiving this email because the email address sodonnell@pinellas.gov is signed up to receive FDOT email alerts for project 256774-3-52-01 US 19 New Interchanges and Roadway Improvements from SR 580 to the north of CR 95.

View the project webpage.

Unsubscribe from email alerts for project 256774-3-52-01 US 19 New Interchanges and Roadway Improvements from SR 580 to the north of CR 95

Stay connected. Follow FDOT District 7:
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Pinellas: Cold night shelters open Saturday and Sunday nights

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:00:58 GMT

Pinellas: Cold night shelters open Saturday and Sunday nights

Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open Saturday night, Jan. 31, and Sunday night, Feb. 1, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full. All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep, and many sites also serve a meal. Shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below across the county between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will provide free bus rides to and from Cold Night Shelters both evenings from 5 p.m. through 7 a.m. the next day. Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free.

The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women:

Tarpon Springs

St. Timothy Luthern Church
- 812 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs
- PSTA Route #19

Clearwater

First United Methodist Church of Clearwater
- 411 Turner Street, Clearwater
- Allows leashed/contained pets
- PSTA Route #52A

Pinellas Park

Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park
- 7790 61^st St. N, Pinellas Park
- PSTA Route #74

First United Methodist Church of Pinellas Park
- 9025 49^th St. N, Pinellas Park
- Allows leashed/contained pets
- PSTA Route #49

St. Petersburg

Unitarian Universalist Church
- 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg
- Requires the use of stairs
- PSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunner
Salvation Army
- 1400 4^th Street South, St. Petersburg
- Requires valid ID for entry
- PSTA Route #4A or B

Allendale Church
- 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg
- PSTA Route #16, #38

Northwest Church
- 6330 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
- Allows leashed/contained pets
- PSTA Route #54, #66

Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.

The Homeless Leadership Alliance is in need of volunteers for this and future activations. Those interested in volunteering should visit pinellashomeless.org/become-a-volunteer to learn more.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman 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.

Water Shortage Information

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 01:47:32 GMT

Water Shortage Order issued for Pinellas County

One-day-per-week watering restrictions go into effect Feb. 8

Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase II Water Shortage Order for several counties, including Pinellas
Order goes into effect on Feb. 8, 2026, and will remain in effect through July 1, 2026
One-day-per-week watering restrictions issued countywide
Customers should reduce unnecessary water use to conserve resource

Due to below average rainfall and declining water supply throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has issued a Phase II Water Shortage Order that includes Pinellas County and other surrounding counties under their jurisdiction. The order goes into effect on Feb. 8, 2026.

Pinellas County Utilities will move to one-day-per-week watering for all customers. Customers should monitor Pinellas County Utilities’ water restrictions webpage at pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules for up-to-date information, as restrictions can change at any time. The current authorized irrigation schedule using reclaimed, potable, well, lake or pond sources for Utilities customers is as follows:

Customers north of SR580

Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Saturdays
Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Wednesdays
Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Wednesdays
Watering using reclaimed water is not permitted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Watering using potable water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Customers south of SR580

Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Tuesdays
Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Thursdays
Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Thursdays
Watering using either potable or reclaimed water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Residents who do not receive their water from Pinellas County Utilities should verify their watering days and restrictions with their water supplier.

For water conservation tips, Florida-Friendly Landscaping guidance and more, visit pinellas.gov/water-conservation.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Our Vision: To Be the Standard for Public Service in America.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman 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.

Peoples First Hurricne Recovery Program - Pinellas County

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:08:33 GMT

Information about People First Hurricane Recovery Programs, a Pinellas County Initiative

Pinellas County has launched the People First Hurricane Recovery Programs to provide vital housing and financial assistance to impacted residents whose needs were not fully met by insurance, FEMA, or other federal/state aid. Please share this important information with our industry employees.

Applying for the Program

Applications are now open. To apply for the program, Pinellas County residents can:

Apply online at recover.pinellas.gov
Visit one of two in-person help centers:
- 2600 McCormick Drive, Suite 100, Clearwater, FL 33759
- 5000 Park Street, Suite 4, St. Petersburg, FL 33709
Call (727) 606-3307 to connect with a case worker

Helpful Links & More Information

RecoverPinellas.gov

FAQ

Press Release

Pinellas County waives after-the-fact permit penalties to support storm recovery

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 19:20:54 GMT

· Proper permits ensure that repair improvements are safe and performed to code.

· They protect homeowners from future issues, including FEMA compliance and ineligibility for recovery funds.

· Permits are needed for any storm-related repairs to structures located in floodplains affected by last year’s hurricanes.

Pinellas County is waiving penalty fees for after-the-fact building permits through Dec. 31, 2025, to help residents in unincorporated areas bring storm-damaged properties into permitting compliance and support long-term recovery. Homeowners who live in municipalities should check with their city about fees.

Building permits – or after-the-fact permits if work was completed without one – are required for all repairs to all structures, including manufactured homes, located in floodplains affected by last year’s storms. Securing proper permits helps protect homeowners from future issues such as FEMA audits, reduced property values, complications during property sales and ineligibility for recovery funds.

Typically, permit fees are doubled when work begins or is completed without prior approval. By County Commission resolution, residents can now obtain after-the-fact permits for the standard fee, which funds inspections and other safety services.

Permits ensure that repairs meet the Florida Building Code and County floodplain regulations, keeping homes safe and preserving eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Failure to obtain proper permits could jeopardize both individual flood insurance coverage and the countywide insurance discount Pinellas residents receive through FEMA’s Community Rating System.

Obtaining permits also positions homeowners to qualify for upcoming Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. Pinellas County will begin opening applications in October for home repair reimbursements and full rehabilitation projects supported by our $813 million federal disaster recovery allocation. More information about financial resources is available at recover.pinellas.gov.

Residents should apply for permits for any storm-related repairs already completed or still underway, including work on drywall, windows, doors, electrical, plumbing and mechanical components and/or systems. Additional documentation may be required for properties in flood-prone areas. Applications, required forms and status tracking are available through the County’s online permitting portal. Staff are available to guide residents through the process and ensure all documentation is complete.

To apply, visit pinellas.gov/after-the-fact-permitting. For in-person help, visit the Building and Development Review Services office at 440 Court Street, Clearwater, or call (727) 464-3888 (Option 5).

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Pinellas: With spike in mosquito-borne illness detection, take extra caution

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 10:37:15 GMT

West Nile Virus detected in north Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco

Pinellas County Mosquito Control has seen increased transmission of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus through its sentinel chicken illness detection program and is urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes and prevent mosquito breeding.

Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) has issued a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory due to the increased activity. West Nile Virus has been detected in sentinel chicken flocks throughout the state, including in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In Pinellas County, positive tests have come from Oldsmar and east Tarpon Springs, initiating enhanced mosquito treatments such as additional truck fogging, aerial larviciding, and ground inspection for additional breeding locations.

Pinellas County Mosquito Control additionally works closely with the Florida Department of Health to monitor cases of mosquito-borne illness activity in our county and respond with mosquito treatment to reduce the risk of the illness spreading. If you believe you have a mosquito-borne illness, please immediately call DOH-Pinellas at (727) 824-6932.

“Our staff are working long hours across the county to apply preventative treatments for mosquitoes,” said Alissa Berro, section manager for Pinellas County Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management. “We’re forecast to get a lot of rain this weekend, so it’ll be important for residents to dump standing water after it accumulates – that’ll take away mosquito breeding grounds.”

The best way for residents to prevent mosquito bites is to follow the 3 Ds:

Dress light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed-toed shoes.
Defend using an insect repellent with a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Dump or cover standing water, which can include debris from recent storm events holding water.

Residents are encouraged to use screens on open windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering their home.

Visit https://pinellas.gov/mosquito-control/ for additional resources, including a public treatment map that displays recent and upcoming treatments to an area.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Our Vision: To Be the Standard for Public Service in America.

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.

2025 Hurricane Season is Here. Be Prepared

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 01:13:59 GMT

TBFB members, associates, friends, and family: the 2025 hurricane season has begun. Activity is increasing in the tropics. Tampa Bay Free Beaches encourages all Floridians to prepare their businesses and homes during the next few weeks to be prepared. Let us all be ready and be safe this hurricane season.

➡️ Review DBPR’s Hurricane Guide:

➡️Always stay alert and keep up to date on any topical activity.

National Hurricane Center

Stay Safe Out There

Pinellas County to hold self-serve sandbag events on June 13-14

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:35:47 GMT

Residents can prepare for storms by picking up 10 bags per vehicle

Pinellas County will host self-serve sandbag events at two County parks on Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14, to help residents prepare for the 2025 Hurricane Season.

Residents can also check with their municipalities or check the list below to see if there are more convenient options for them.

Temporary sandbag sites at John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor, and Walsingham Park, 12615 102^nd Ave., Seminole, will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 13, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, or for as long as supplies last. Residents can fill up to 10 bags per vehicle, and staff will be on hand to help elderly or disabled residents. Bags will be provided, and a limited number of shovels will be available.

Pinellas County also offers self-serve sandbag filling sites in the same County parks for storms that are forecast to approach the County, but pre-storm lines can be long, and all sandbag operations will shut down 48 hours ahead of anticipated landfall. Residents who are interested in obtaining sandbags are encouraged to prepare early by participating in this event.

Sandbags are only effective against flooding less than 15 inches. Many people saw more than two feet of storm surge flooding during Hurricane Helene last September. A growing number of companies are offering alternate flood barriers. Residents in surge- or flood-prone areas are encouraged to research those options.

Chesnut and Walsingham parks will remain open during the sandbag events. Pinellas County is not offering pre-filled sandbags.

Municipal residents

Sandbags are available to City of St. Petersburg residents throughout the year during non-emergency times at the Pavement and Traffic Operations Building, 1744 9^th Ave N., Monday-Friday and every second Saturday of the month, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

City of Gulfport will have a staffed sandbag distribution site Saturday, June 14, at 49^th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49^th St. S., from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Pinellas Park, Indian Rocks Beach, St. Pete Beach and the Town of Belleair plan to offer sandbags to their residents before a storm.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Most Pinellas County offices closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:34:10 GMT

Most Pinellas County Government offices under the County Administrator will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Offices of the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector will also be closed.

Offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and Supervisor of Elections will be open during their normal hours. The courts of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco) will conduct their regular schedules.

Parks & Conservation Resources

The administration office, Heritage Village, Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center and Weedon Island Cultural and Natural History Center will be closed.

Animal Services shelter

The offices and adoption center at Pinellas County Animal Services will be closed.

Building Services

Pinellas County Building Services office locations will be closed, and inspections will not take place.

Contractor Licensing

Pinellas County Contractor Licensing office and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board will be closed.

Human Services

Pinellas County Human Services office locations will be closed.

Solid Waste Disposal Complex

The Disposal Complex/Scalehouse will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Administration Building, Household Hazardous Waste Center and Swap Shop will be closed.

Utilities

The Business and Customer Services Call Center and the lobby at 14 S. Fort Harrison will be closed. Customers can make payments online and can reach the answering service at (727) 464-4000 for emergencies.

Normal County operating hours will resume on Friday, Jun 20.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Analysis: House tourist development tax plan would cripple Florida’s economy

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:13:28 GMT

Please click on the link below to understand the devastating effects on the Florida economy if the current House plan in Florida goes through.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/740992-analysis-house-tourist-development-tax-plan-would-criple-floridas-economy/

Beach Brief

Sat, 24 May 2025 02:41:18 GMT

Before You Go:

Before you hit the door for the weekend. Here are a few things that are happening on America's Best Beaches.

St. Pete Beach is proposing rules for signage at local businesses. This may impact how you do business. First Reading is Tuesday at the 6pm Commission Meeting. Summary Here

Boaters Take Note - The Governor recently signed the Boater Freedom Act - prohibiting law enforcement from boarding your vessel without probable cause. Read more HERE

A Reminder that the storms impacted us in countless ways. Bittersweet that St. John Vianney's held its last graduation ceremony this week. The school is not reopening after sustaining devastating storm damage. More HERE

Treasure Island Residents have new rules when it comes to elevating their property. Read all about the latest Terrain Modification news.

The Chamber Leadership Institute still has a few openings. Don't miss this incredible opportunity for personal & professional growth. MORE HERE

As always, your Chamber is here to serve. Never hesitate to reach out via phone, email or stopping by our office right on Gulf Blvd in St. Pete Beach

#BuyBeachesFirst

Residual Storm Damage

Fri, 23 May 2025 22:03:46 GMT

Immediate Release
May 23, 2025

Media Contact
John Carkeet, Public Information Coordinator

(321) 514-8462

jcarkeet@pinellas.gov

Pinellas: Some Parks amenities remain unavailable due to storm damage

Entering Memorial Day weekend, Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources wants to remind residents and visitors that some park amenities are temporarily closed or have limited access due to damage from last year’s hurricanes. The County is working with its contractors to complete repairs as soon as possible.

Anderson Park: The lakeside boardwalk is closed.
County Boat Ramps: Boat launch access is limited at Fort De Soto and War Veterans’ Memorial parks. At Fort De Soto, only one floating dock is available, and at War Veterans’ Memorial Park, no floating docks are available. New docks are expected to be installed by the end of the year. Boaters should exercise caution when using the ramps.
Fort De Soto Park: The East Loop and portions of the seawall near the historic fort are closed. The park lost 250 picnic tables from storm surge, and the County has ordered replacements. Currently, shelters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 do not have picnic tables, while shelters 2, 5, 8 and 11-15 have new tables. All 15 shelter structures are sound, and all damaged grills have been repaired. Park patrons are welcome to bring their own chairs and tables to all shelters.
Fred Howard Park: The restrooms along the beach area are closed, while the ones near the picnic shelters remain open.
Lake Seminole Park: Shelter 3 remains closed.
Madeira Beach Access: The parking lot and access area is closed for major repairs.

All other County parks, preserves, trails and beaches continue to welcome the public daily from 7 a.m. to sunset.

Visit pinellas.gov/parks or call (727) 582-2100 for the latest updates.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Semi-Annual Water Maintenenace-Pinellas County

Tue, 06 May 2025 01:31:37 GMT

Pinellas: Water system maintenance to begin May 19

Temporary switch to chlorine disinfection improves water quality

· Semiannual water system maintenance program begins Monday, May 19

· Routine switch from chloramine to chlorine improves water quality.

During the switch, water will continue to meet all federal and state standards.

Pinellas County Utilities will temporarily change its water disinfection process to chlorine from Monday, May 19 through Saturday, June 7. During this time, drinking water may smell or taste slightly different but there will be no impact to water pressure or service.

This semiannual switch temporarily changes the method of water treatment from chloramine to chlorine disinfection to improve water quality and minimize the potential for any future problems in the water system.

Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted but should contact their dialysis care provider for more information about chlorine disinfection and how it affects their treatment. Fish owners should not be affected if they already have a system to remove chloramines but should contact local pet suppliers with any questions.

There have been no indications of significant bacteriological contamination problems in the system, and the water will continue to meet all federal and state standards for safe drinking water. Pinellas County Utilities water customers will benefit from this, as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park and Safety Harbor.

For more information, please visit pinellas.gov/utilities or contact Pinellas County Utilities Customer Service at (727) 464-4000.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Pinellas County Business Unmet Needs Survey

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:04:43 GMT

As Pinellas County develops their spending plan for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, they would like to hear from our business community.

Below there is a link to a survey looking for input on your unmet needs.
Please take a few minutes to respond.
Please also see the schedule for local public meetings as another opportunity to provide direct feedback to Pinellas.

Business/Economic Hurricane Impact:

Please take a minute to complete the survey at the link below by Monday, March 10^th.

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HurricaneDisasterImpactandRecoverySurvey

The County has scheduled the following public meetings for residents and business owners to provide their input and feedback.

South County – April 7^th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Lealman Exchange
5175 45^th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Mid County – April 10^th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
City of Dunedin – City Hall
737 Louden Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698

North County – April 24^th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Harbor Hall/White Chapel
1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Board of County Commissioners – May 6^th
333 Chestnut Street, Palm Room
Clearwater, FL 33756

CDBG-DR Action Plan information will be shared and tracked on County CDBG-DR Website: https://pinellas.gov/cdbg-dr/

This email was sent on behalf of Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce - FL

Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds (CDBG-DR)

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 17:43:27 GMT

Last updated on January 30, 2025

Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Overview of Allocation

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) directly awarded Pinellas County funding to support long‐term recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These funds are designated to primarily benefit low- and moderate-income households and communities. Each CDBG-DR activity must address a disaster-related impact (direct or indirect), be a CDBG eligible activity, and meet a CDBG national objective.

$813,783,000

Total Pinellas County CDBG-DR Direct Allocation

CDBG-DR funding supports disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas, according to HUD. These funds are designated to primarily benefit low- and moderate-income households and communities.

No program allocations have been made at this time.

Pinellas County will announce opportunities for public input on developing an action plan for these funds in the near future. Identifying how to best use the funds and starting programs to distribute them is expected to take several months. Stay tuned for more information. Additional questions, contact Matthew Spoor, Pinellas County Administration, recovery@pinellas.gov, 727-464-4600

I have been provided the dates for the public hearings and wanted to provide you with the information.

Pinellas County CDBG-DR Public Hearings

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

South County – April 7^th

Lealman Exchange

Ray Neri Room

5175 45^th Street North

St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Mid County – April 10^th

City of Dunedin – City Hall

Commission Chambers

737 Louden Ave

Dunedin, FL 34698

North County – April 24^th

Harbor Hall/White Chapel

1190 Georgia Avenue

Palm Harbor, FL 34683

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.

For Pinellas County Residents - National Community Survey

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 17:39:38 GMT

Good day everyone!

Following the Board of County Commissioner’s recent BCC Strategic Work Session on February 6, 2025, the Board requested county administration work with Polco in the preparation of a 2025 version of the National Community Survey (NCS). The survey is being launched today with a random sampling and will conclude in six weeks. Survey results should be available to the Commission by mid-May to serve as input during their summer budget sessions.

THE SURVEY

Pinellas County is collecting resident feedback through the National Community Survey (NCS) to help inform strategic planning and goal setting priorities for the Board of County Commissioners.

Random sampling of 5,000 community households will begin February 27, 2025, and will continue through April 10, 2025. The survey will be open to all residents March 27, 2025, through April 10, 2025.

The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions. More information is available at https://pinellas.gov/national-community-survey.

What is The National Community Survey (NCS)?

Developed over 20 years ago and continually refined, the NCS is a survey of resident opinion that provides robust benchmark comparisons among communities across the nation. It has been used in more than 600 communities across 46 states. Communities using the NCS have reported that the tool improved service delivery, strengthened communications with community stakeholders, and helped leaders identify clear priorities for use in strategic planning and budget setting. It is the only resident survey endorsed by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the National League of Cities (NLC).

Why is the National Community Survey broken down into two surveys?

· The Sampled Survey is designed to be as representative as possible of the population of the county. Community households are randomly selected from a comprehensive list of residential addresses to reduce bias and obtain feedback from all areas within the community. The sampled group is mailed a postcard invitation and survey packet, though they may elect to fill out the survey online. Their link is unique to their household and should not be shared. This effort is to gather accurate data from the residents who make up our community today.

· The Open Participation Survey is offered to all residents so each voice in the community can be heard. This survey is hosted online only. It is identical to the Sampled Survey except that it asks if you are a resident of the community and to confirm which area of the community you live in.

How will the survey results be used?

The survey results will be shared with the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners as a tool to assist with future priority and goal discussions. These results will also provide strong benchmarking data that allows for comparison to similar communities across the country.

How long will the survey take to complete?

· It takes ~ 15-16 minutes to complete.

How can I be assured that my feedback will remain anonymous?

· Your responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared.

· This is a confidential survey conducted by an outside firm, so your identity is completely secure. https://info.polco.us/your-privacy.

What about leading questions or bias with the way questions are worded?

Every effort is made to pose questions as neutrally as possible. The team of survey scientists put a tremendous amount of thought into this when developing the main survey. Because all opinions are welcome, the questions need to be a blend of easy to understand, simple to respond to, and neutral in the way they are asked. There are many methods with which this is accomplished, but one of the more noticeable ones are questions with "if at all" contained in the question. For example: "How much of a priority, if at all, should it be for Pinellas County to focus on the following initiatives?" is a neutral way of presenting the question, making it as easy to answer positively as it is negatively.

Can I share my survey link with another person?

· If you received a postcard invitation and paper survey in the mail, then this survey has a unique link for randomly selected households only and should not be shared.

· We encourage everyone to share the Open Participation survey link with their neighbors.

If you receive the survey, we hope you will take the time to complete it. Thank you.

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.

Fort De Soto North Beach Opening on Feb. 17

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:54:38 GMT

Fort De Soto Scheduled to Reopen Fully on Feb. 17

North Beach is scheduled to reopen on Monday, February 17, effectively restoring access to the entire park. Please note that boat ramp amenities are currently limited due to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. Visitors should be cautious of boat and vehicle traffic, and be courteous to others.

The following areas are open to visitors:

All campgrounds
Boat ramp (amenities are limited; use at your own risk)
Both fishing piers (Bay Pier and Gulf Pier)
Causeway
Dog beach
East Beach

Visitors should exercise caution, as debris may still be present in some locations.

If you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100, and our team will be happy to assist you.

Ft De Soto Reopening in Phases

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 23:04:08 GMT

Fort De Soto Reopening in Phases

The following areas are open to visitors:

All campgrounds
Boat ramp – boat ramp amenities are limited and in varying states of hurricane recovery. Use at your own risk.
Both fishing piers (Bay Pier and Gulf Pier)
Causeway
Dog beach
East Beach

North Beach remains closed as repair and cleanup efforts continue. Visitors should exercise caution, as debris may still be present in some locations.

If you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100, and our team will be happy to assist you.

Thank you for your patience as we work to fully reopen the park!

New Parking Fee at Fort De Soto Park

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, parking fees at Fort De Soto Park will increase to $6 per vehicle. This is the first adjustment in over 14 years and creates a simple, flat rate across these locations. The boat ramp passenger vehicle fee has also been updated to ensure consistency and fairness. The fee remains lower than many neighboring beach access areas that charge by the hour. Annual and six-month pass rates will remain unchanged, making them a great value for frequent visitors. Thank you for supporting our parks and preserves!

Important Traffic Advisory - Pinellas County

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:35:32 GMT

Good Day Everyone!

I know it’s been a while but wanted to get this out to everyone. Attached is a traffic advisory of an intersection has been shut down due to emergency sewer work. Please see the attached Emergency Road Closure notification. At this point, I do not know when it will be fixed. Please use an alternative route.

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.

Charlie Justice Appointed as new President & CEO of Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 12:41:40 GMT

Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber Announces New President and CEO

St. Pete Beach, FL – The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber is thrilled to announce the appointment of Charlie Justice as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Robin Miller who resigned in December.

Scott O’Berry, the Chamber’s 2025 Board Chair, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. “The board performed an extensive search and is proud to take this next step with Charlie Justice leading the organization,” said O’Berry. “His deep ties to the community and proven leadership make him an excellent choice to guide the Chamber into the future.”

Charlie Justice, a former elected official with deep-rooted connections within the Tampa Bay Beaches community, brings a wealth of experience and a pro-business approach to leadership. Known for his dedication to fostering economic growth and supporting local businesses, Charlie has been a trusted figure in the community for many years.

Experience in the Community: With a longstanding history of public service and community involvement, Charlie's commitment to the Tampa Bay Beaches area is unparalleled. His extensive background in local governance and community development has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead the Chamber towards a brighter future.

Pro-Business Leadership: Charlie’s approach to leadership is firmly rooted in his pro-business philosophy. He has consistently advocated for policies that support business growth and tourism, making him a natural fit for the role of CEO at the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber. His vision includes creating a vibrant and thriving business environment that benefits all members of the community, and he is excited to work with other organizations and chambers in the area to do so.

Crisis Management Expertise: In addition, Charlie is well-versed in crisis management. His hands-on experience dealing with recent storms and other crises has demonstrated his ability to navigate challenging situations with resilience and strategic thinking. This expertise will be invaluable as he leads the chamber out of an unprecedented time for our beach communities.

"I am honored to be entrusted with this role and to continue serving the Tampa Bay Beaches communities in this new capacity. I look forward to working with the team, membership and the board to promote economic growth and strengthen our local business landscape" said Charlie Justice.

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is confident that under Charlie’s leadership, the organization will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on the community.

About the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce:

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce promotes travel & tourism, educates businesses & individuals, provides a forum of collaboration to enhance the business environment & promote the quality of life for the communities we serve.

Ft De Soto Update 01/06/2025

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:53:57 GMT

Fort De Soto Reopening in Phases

Jan. 3 Update: Fort De Soto Park will continue to re-open in phases. The fort, dog beach and fishing pier will open on Monday, Jan. 6. Other areas that have reopened are the causeway, boat ramp, East Beach and the Area 3 campground. All other areas of the park and campground will remain closed as repair and cleanup efforts continue. If you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100 and a representative will assist you.

New Parking Fee at Fort De Soto Park

East Beach Update 12/27/2024

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 19:21:34 GMT

Maryanne and Jack made a visit to East Beach Friday, December 27th, 2024. This was our first visit back to East Beach since Hurricanes Helene and Milton did their number on Ft De Soto Park. The Pinellas County Parks Department have and are continuing to do a remarkable job. In the whole time we have been working on this project, we have never seen East Beach look as pristine and beautiful as it is now They are moving fron East Beach to the north to open the rest of the shoreline in the park.

Even with the rest of the park's beaches closed for the time being, East Beach was only about 50% used examining the parking area. We will continue to monitor East Beaches usage as the other beach areas open up.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches mission is moving ahead at warp speed. Stay tuned for future updates.

Pinellas County Update 12/20/2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:58:44 GMT

Good morning and a fabulous Friday to you!!!!!

Substantial Damage Letters

The Building Department and other county department have just finished and rolled out a substantial damage link where residents can visit the website at http://Pinellas.gov/sdsi to search for their home address, click on the dot to view their status, and print a copy of the substantial damage letter. A postal letter will still be mailed out but this link will provide it faster so you can move forward.

Please share this information with your relatives, neighbors and friends. It should prove to be very useful.

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.

Ft De Soto Update 12/16/2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:55:38 GMT

Storm Closure Update (Dec. 16, 2024)

Fort De Soto Campground will re-open in phases beginning with Area 3 on Dec. 19 along with a partial opening of Fort De Soto Park, including East Beach. Other areas of the park and campground will remain closed as repair efforts are still underway. If you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100 and a representative will assist you.

The causeway and boat ramp are also currently open.

Pinellas County Update - Recovery Information

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:58:38 GMT

Good day to all!!!

It has been a while since a writing to you and am thankful to say thank goodness hurricane season is now over. It was a very rough season for so very many and it is my sincere hope that those extremely affected are beginning to work towards getting some of their lives back. It won’t be normal for a long while and I can only imagine how frustrating, stressful and expensive this is for you and I am so very sorry. What I do know is the determination, tenacity, resiliency and grit of the citizens that live in North County things will only get better as time progresses.

Below is some information that may be of interest to you. I know it is lengthy, but it is good information to know. Also, I would highly suggest if you have a contractor you are working with sit in on the public information webinar for contractors scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Contractors are asked to pre-register at Webinar Registration - Zoom. I am sure it will provide very useful information as to the process.

If you haven’t already please take a moment to view the website https://pinellas.gov/storm-recovery-permitting. It has a lot of information.

Substantial Damage determination letters distribution continues. As of Dec. 11, 1,339 letters have been mailed and another 4,000 will go out in the coming weeks. Building and Development Review Services continues to issue permits online and through the in-person Permit Support Hub. I have also attached a substantial damage flowsheet for your information.

Live Storm Repair Permit updates are now available at: https://pinellas.gov/substantial-damage-substantial-improvement/

It might appear everything is moving at a snail’s pace, and we are quite aware everyone is anxious to rebuild/restore I would feel the same way. I must share that a lot of work actually goes into determinations that are being made; which I am sure you can appreciate. Here is some information about the processes for determinations and substantial damage letters.
The Building Department is working closely with the State contractor, who at this point has completed inspections of approximately 5,400 properties in the unincorporated county. They are now conducting quality control on the data prior to entering the information into the FEMA estimator tool. In some cases, there can be up to 54 data fields where information is reviewed and/or entered before the tool can provide a determination. It appears to be an arduous process that I know we all want to have completed accurately for our property as well as others. The Building Department has requested an additional 50 professionals from the State to assist with this data entry, and they are in the process of fulfilling this request. This team will support all communities coordinating with the county, including our unincorporated areas.

The Building Department continues to work very hard to keep all the wheels rolling forward in their department with regular permits and inspections amidst the additional amount and complexity of storm work and FEMA. With that, they are working extremely hard to have all letters mailed out by year-end. That may sound far but in reality, it is only a couple weeks away. To help facilitate this goal, Building have activated an additional 19 professionals from third-party contractors. Those folks have been trained and are focusing on quality control and data entry for the unincorporated county to supplement the work the state contractor has completed for unincorporated.

I know folks in Ozona and Crystal Beach are wondering why they have only received a few letters in their entire communities. Well, both communities had quite a bit of damage and the Building Department is continuing to work on them but still have many properties that need to be processed. With the additional team from their contractor, the Building Department expects to make significant progress in the coming weeks.

Debris:

The County’s contractor is into the second and final round of storm debris removal in the unincorporated areas. The goal is to have remaining debris along public streets picked up by the end of December.
As of Dec. 11, Pinellas County has collected in unincorporated areas 16,457 truckloads of debris totaling over 609,045 cubic yards. Updates and more information can be found at pinellas.gov/debris.

FEMA Assistance – The deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance for Helene and Milton is Jan. 7, 2025. As of Dec. 11, FEMA had 270,684 registered individuals for assistance.

Housing:

The Safe Home Inspection program was initiated in Accela, allowing minor repairs to facilitate residents staying in their homes. Several cities have also launched programs to assist their residents with repairs. Residents are urged to contact their municipalities for more information.
The State of Florida is launching a mitigation program for elevations, buyout, and repairs. Residents can sign up to receive information at floridadisaster.org/subscription-topics/.
Staff is developing additional public education materials to assist residents along their housing journey and what resources are available to them.

Upcoming Deadlines for Public Assistance

FEMA Assistance Applications:
- Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Jan. 7, 2025 (Deadline extended)
US Small Business Administration Physical Damage and Economic Injury Loans: Residents and businesses can visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply, contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for assistance. The Physical Damage Disaster Loan Application deadline for both hurricanes Helene and Milton has been extended to January 7, 2025. The loans can be used for code-required upgrades related to the Substantial Damage rules, among other needs.
FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program for Nonprofits, Houses of Worship and Governments: Hurricanes Helene & Milton: Dec. 20 (Deadline extended)
Economic Injury Loan (Hurricanes Helene & Milton): July 11, 2025

Communications & Outreach

A public information webinar for contractors is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Contractors are asked to pre-register at Webinar Registration - Zoom

We want to again thank everyone for their continued patience through all of this. It is new to everyone but like I said with all the determination, tenacity, resiliency, and grit of the citizens living in North County, it can only get better!!!

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.

Post Hurricane Ft De Soto Restoration Progress

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:07:04 GMT

Below are photos of the post Hurricane Helene and Milton restoration clean up at Ft De Soto Park. East Beach is visible because of the view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. We will try and keep you updated as information comes in.

Update on Ft De Soto Post Hurricane Recovery

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:52:34 GMT

Link below to see the current update on the damage and recovery process at Ft De Soto County Park.

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/park-manager-shows-catastrophic-damage-to-ft-desoto-park-details-recovery-efforts/

St. Pete Beach Announces Waiver of Permit Fees for Storm-Related Repairs to Homes and Businesses

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:38:28 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Marc Portugal

Public Information Officer

City of St. Pete Beach

312.371.2660

mportugal@stpetebeach.org

St. Pete Beach Announces Waiver of Permit Fees

for Storm-Related Repairs to Homes and Businesses

November 7, 2024, ST. PETE BEACH, FL – Based on the direction from the City Commission, The

City of St. Pete Beach has authorized an immediate waiver on 100% of the fees for storm-related

work permits. This applies to both residential and commercial permits.

Permit fee waivers began on Wednesday November 6th, 2024, and are retroactive to October 1st,

2024. The waivers will last through Tuesday January 14, 2025. At that time, the City Commission will

meet and evaluate the possibility of extending the waiver.

From City Manager Frances Robustelli: “The City Commission and city leadership believes that

waiving storm-related permit fees is a critical step to help facilitate the recovery process for our

residents and businesses.”

The city is also processing permit fee reimbursements retroactively, as well, which shall be received

in the same method as originally transacted (credit card, check, etc.)

For more information on permitting processes and FEMA packets on Substantial

Improvement/Substantial Damage, visit the City of St. Pete Beach website here: Post Storm

Specific FAQs | St. Pete Beach, FL

###

VERY IMPORTANT Substantial Damage Rule Information - Pinellas County

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 19:18:22 GMT

Good day!

Well, we have been in Milton recovery for a few weeks now and continue to work our way forward. People have been going through their belongings, cleaning out their homes, working with insurance, applying for FEMA assistance and now some may be ready to start to work on repairing their homes. You may or may not have heard recently mentions of the Substantial Damage Rule. It is EXTREMELY important for you to please read the information provided in this link Pinellas.gov/sdsi to familiarize yourself with the Substantial Damage Rule, what the guidelines are and how you will move forward. The information that is being provided is for citizens living within unincorporated Pinellas County. Should you be reading this email and live within a city limit, please contact your city of residence.

Once you read over the information and you live in a flood hazard area within unincorporated Pinellas, you can call the Pinellas County Building Department at 727-464-3888 or sdinspection@pinellas.gov to request a substantial damage inspection.

Should you have additional questions, the Building Department if fully versed and would be best to contact. You may contact BDRS at 727-464-3888, by email at buildingpermits@pinellas.gov (if it has to do with storm damage permitting) or sdinspection@pinellas.gov if it has to do with substantial damage inspections.

I hope you find this information helpful. I will continue to provide you with information I believe could be helpful to you.

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

Update on Post Helene and Milton Fundraiser

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:12:33 GMT

UPDATE ON HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON

FUNDRAISER

FINAL REACH OUT FOR TBFB’S GOAL OF $2000.00

 First and foremost, Tampa Bay Free Beaches is hoping you all are unharmed and recovering from the past 2 storms which have hit many of our members and friends hard. Things are slowly coming back to a semblance of normalcy, and we must not lose track of our mission. *

 As of 10/28/2024 we have raised $1580.00 to help those in need. Many have lost their jobs in the beach industry due to the destruction of the on-shore flooding. This fund will assist those out-of-work employees. We thank all who have given so generously from their hearts and their billfolds to help those affected by the storms. Any donation, whether large or small, would be wonderful. * We will continue this fundraiser until the end of October.

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You. *

“HELPING THOSE IN NEED”

Tampa Bay Free Beaches (TBFB) has a long and storied history of providing philanthropic community support. Examples include work during the COVID pandemic and more recently a collaboration with CASA in St. Petersburg who provides invaluable assistance to domestic abuse survivors in Pinellas County.

All these efforts and initiatives are successful solely because of the financial and material support of our membership and allies. Now, TBFB needs you again.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton roared past our communities leaving scores of our friends and neighbors in desperate shape. TBFB will ba adding to the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber's efforts to raise funds for those out of work employees. A donation like this shows our strong relationship and support for the coastal community that we are now a partner with.

Contributions can be made as follows:

1. Mailed to TBFB Hurricane Assistance, c/o Jack Clark, Treasurer of TBFB, 1705 Dorothy Blvd, Lutz, FL 33558

2. Go to: www.tampabayfreebeaches.org. select “donations”. In the “Comment Box”, please be sure to indicate that the funds are for “Hurricane Helene Assistance”.

3. We can arrange VENMO, PAYPAL, etc. Also, you may email jack@tampabayfreebeaches.org with any questions or concerns.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches thanks you all for your continued support of our Ft. DeSoto East Beach mission. We remain on track and things are moving forward as hoped and planned. Let’s take a brief break from that, however, to rally together to help those in need, many of whom have supported us privately, publicly and politically to help us move our mission forward.

Thank you so much,

Tampa Bay Free Beaches

A Special Message from VisitSPC President/CEO Brian Lowack

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 02:10:47 GMT

Dear Industry Partners,

The beautiful weather this past week reminds us why we love this place we call home. With clear skies and the sun shining upon us once more, I wanted to personally reach out to you with a sense of gratitude and unwavering optimism. With so many challenges in our rearview mirror and some still in front of us, our foundation remains stronger than ever, and our community continues to show the resilience and strength that defines us.

As we continue to see more and more of our destination return to action, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater remains committed to promoting and shining a spotlight on our beloved destination. In fact, I am sending you this note from the heart of London in the U.K. as St. Pete-Clearwater has brought the sunshine to Brand USA's Travel Week. As part of our trip to continue to retain and further develop key international markets, we will also take part in special events with key travel tour operators and media in Amsterdam to celebrate the return of Delta Air Line’s seasonal flight from Amsterdam to Tampa International Airport starting this Saturday. This route will bring even more international visitors to our destination and provide a bridge to major cities throughout Europe to our destination.

In addition to our international efforts, your VisitSPC team has also been around the U.S. making sure meeting planners, tour operators, media, and potential visitors know we are open for business. This past weekend we made a strong presence at the NYC Wine & Food Festival, a fantastic opportunity to amplify our destination’s culinary offerings.

Additionally, the team’s planned activities for the month include meeting planner events in Tallahassee, New England and the Bahamas, as well as sales and trade events in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. These events allow us to connect with valued partners and showcase the unique experiences that St. Pete-Clearwater offers. Our main message to everyone – there is no need to cancel any plans and no need to hesitate about booking a trip to St. Pete-Clearwater. The news coverage of our area that they may have seen on TV or online does not represent our current look, and certainly not the entirety of our eclectic destination.

While much of our destination has been able to re-open their doors quickly, including many of our top attractions, we know our award-winning beaches and waterfront communities, which saw historic storm surge during Hurricane Helene, are in need of a little more time to fully recover. Throughout it all, we look forward to sharing the continued growth of our destination across our social and digital channels with each passing week.

We've weathered the storms, welcomed clear skies and are emerging stronger than ever. Together, we are Still Shining.

Brian Lowack

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections announces Polling Place adjustments following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:48:28 GMT

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has relocated 25 polling places following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Despite these changes, Pinellas County voters still have access to the same voting options they are familiar with, including voting by mail, in-person early voting, and voting on Election Day.

“While some adjustments were necessary, voters in Pinellas County can still rely on the voting methods they’ve used in the past,” said Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus. “Whether you choose to vote by mail, at an early voting site, or on Election Day, you can rest assured that access to the ballot remains constant, and election integrity is paramount.”

(For a complete list of polling place changes, please see at the end of this message)

The Supervisor of Elections implemented extensive contingency plans to ensure minimal disruption to voters. The accessibility and security of voting options remain top priorities. Voters can feel confident that despite any weather-related obstacles, every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast a ballot.

No changes have been made to early voting or secure mail ballot return locations.

Early Voting: Oct. 21 – Nov. 3, 2024

Early Voting for the November 5 General Election will be held from Monday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Early voting sites include:

Centre of Palm Harbor, The, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor, 34683
Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater, 33761
Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S., Gulfport, 33707
J.W. Cate Recreation Center, 5801 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33710
Supervisor of Elections Office, 501 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33701 (Entrance on 5th St.)
Supervisor of Elections Office, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Rm. 117, Clearwater, 33756 (First Floor, North Side)
Supervisor of Elections Office, Election Service Center, 13001 Starkey Rd., Largo, 33773 (Starkey Lakes Corporate Center)

Voting by Mail

The deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2024. For mail ballot requests, please call 727-464-VOTE (8683).

Returning Mail Ballots

Mail ballots can be returned at one of 21 secure ballot return locations across Pinellas County between Oct. 21 and Nov. 3. Voters can find hours and locations on VotePinellas.gov or in the mail ballot kit. Ballots may also be returned to any of the three Supervisor of Elections Offices between now and Nov. 5. Please note, mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Important Reminders

If you have not received your mail ballot, call us at 727-464-VOTE (8683) or check VotePinellas.gov/CheckMyMailBallotStatus.
Voted mail ballots cannot be accepted at polling places on Election Day. However, voters may surrender their mail ballot at the polling place and vote in person instead.

Voters choosing to vote on Election Day should anticipate longer lines at polling places due to a long ballot and disruptions caused by the hurricanes. For a complete list of polling place adjustments and additional election information, please visit VotePinellas.gov or see the attached PDF.

For hurricane-specific information, visit VotePinellas.gov/Hurricane.

###

Ashley McKnight-Taylor

Communications Director

Representing Julie Marcus, Supervisor of Elections

13001 Starkey Rd., Largo, FL 33773

(727) 453-7553

ATaylor@VotePinellas.gov

Find us on Facebook ~ Follow us @VotePinellas

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. -- F.S. 668.6076

Conforme a la legislación de Florida, las direcciones de correo electrónico son registros públicos. Si no desea que su correo electrónico se divulgue como respuesta a una solicitud de registros públicos, no envíe un correo electrónico a esta entidad. En su lugar, póngase en contacto con esta oficina por teléfono o por escrito. -- F.S. 668.6076

Post Hurricane Updates & Goings On - Pinellas County

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:06:25 GMT

Good day everyone!

I don’t know about anyone else but I am thrilled with some actual Fall like weather. If we are dealing with no power, cutting, picking up, raking, trimming, pulling, dragging whatever, it sure makes it a tad more bearable to be doing it in temps in the 60’s versus the mid 90’s. It is a bright spot along our road to recovery. Below is information I thought might be of interest or beneficial to you.

Feeding Tampa Bay

Please visit their website https://feedingtampabay.org/ways-we-serve/disaster-relief the information is updated daily. They are offering food distribution events as well as food pantries .

Pinellas Update: Operation Blue Roof assistance available for residents with roof damage

Pinellas County residents with roof damage from Hurricane Milton can get a temporary blue tarp to prevent further damage by signing up for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof program through Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Impacted residents can sign up online at BlueRoof.gov or by calling at 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). You will need a driver’s license or other proof of residency.

This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50% structural damage. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for this program. Roofs that are flat or made of metal or clay, slate, or asbestos tile do not qualify. The roof must be standard roof shingles, or similar material that will allow contractors to nail the tarp in place. Contractors will consider repairs to metal roofs and mobile homes on a case-by-case basis and will install the cover if possible.

Operation Blue Roof will remove homeowner tarps installed and minor debris to allow for proper installation. Any large items of debris, such as a tree, must be removed from the roof by the homeowner to be eligible for the program.

For more information on Operation Blue Roof, visit BlueRoof.gov. Stay up to date on Pinellas County storm recovery efforts at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Insurance Village

An insurance village is operating at the Long Center at 1501 N. Belcher in Clearwater is open where insurance agencies can help residents navigate filing insurance claims for damaged property.

Cooling Centers

A list of cooling center locations is available at www.disaster.pinellas.gov.

Fuel Distribution Sites

FDEM has opened public fuel distribution sites. Additional information can be found at www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/Hurricanemilton.

US Small Business Administration

The US Small Business Administration is offering low interest physical damage and economic injury loans. Residents and businesses can visit www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply and can contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for assistance.

Discounted Rides

Lyft has activated the Lyft Up Disaster Response Program to provide free and discounted rides to help those in affected areas travel to and from designated shelters with critical resources. Riders can use code MILTONRELIEF24 for two rides up to $25 to and from state-approved shelters.

Florida Commerce – Unemployment Assistance

Florida Commerce has opened Disaster Unemployment Assistance that helps people who lose their job as a direct result of a declared disaster. For more information visit floridajobs.org.

There is a lot more information available daily at www.disaster.pinellas.gov

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.

Information for Recovery in Pinellas County

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 23:23:10 GMT

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

FINAL PRE MILTON UPDATE FROM THE TAMPA BAY BEACHES CHAMBER

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:49:03 GMT

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

Important Information- Pinellas County- Hurricane Milton

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:34:19 GMT

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.

DUNEDIN HURRICANE UPDATE

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:14:01 GMT

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

CitIzens Urges Policyholders to Prepare for Hurricane Milton

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:33:20 GMT

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HELP BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE HURRICANE

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:28:11 GMT

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.

PINELLAS COUNTY STORM UPDATE - HELENE & MILTON

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:35:55 GMT

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.

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.

Pinellas County Update 10/04/2024

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 00:31:15 GMT

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

East Beach Post Helene Update

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:34:22 GMT

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.

Post Hurricane Assistance

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 15:02:49 GMT

After The Storm Information

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:49:16 GMT

Good morning

I have pulled some information from the County’s website, www.disaster.pinellas.gov which contains a plethora of useful information.

If you have had storm damage, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. Before doing any clean-up, take pictures, videos, etc. If you had water intrusion, you need to get a measuring device and measure the water lines both inside.

Citizens Insurance Information

I pulled this information from Citizen’s website. There is a catastrophe center open and active in Largo. I saw the tents on Saturday.

Catastrophe Response Center Locations

Bardmoor Palms near YMCA

8333 Bryan Dairy Rd
Largo, FL 33773

Hours
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

South Holiday Library

4649 Mile Stretch Dr
Holiday, FL 34690

Hours
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Claims

Report a claim/status of a claim
24 hours a day

866.411.2742

Customer Care Center

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ET
Weekdays

866.411.2742

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

Florida Telecommunication Relay Service
24 hours a day

800.955.8771 (TTY)

800.955.8770 (Voice)

www.ftri.org

FEMA Assistance is available. You will need to differentiate between Debby and Helene. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service

Emergency Information

Last updated on September 29, 2024

UPDATE (9/28/24): The mandatory evacuation order has been lifted. Effective 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, access to all beaches and barrier islands is now open only to residents, business owners, or employees with a Barrier Island Re-Entry Permit. Full details.

If your property was affected and you need assistance finding a place to stay, contact the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333 (Open 8 a.m to 6 p.m.). Public shelters are now transitioning to assist those who were displaced.

Pinellas County Utilities has shut off all potable water to all barrier island communities south of Johns Pass for an emergency repair to the water system. View full story.

St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde utilities customers are all under a boil water notice.

Want to help? To volunteer, go to Volunteer Connect.

The Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center continues to respond to Hurricane Helene. We will update this page, our Facebook and X pages, and our partners in local media regularly. Check for updates at least every 6-12 hours as storm updates and guidance can change quickly. Sign up for Alert Pinellas for major announcements.

Cooling Stations Available

Several cooling stations are available in areas where residents remain without power following Hurricane Helene. These stations will provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones. View locations and hours here.

Storm Damage

Report Damages

Homes
Businesses
Roads or other public infrastructure (SeeClickFix)
Homeowners Insurance: Take extensive photos of interior and exterior damage before cleaning or removing damaged building materials. Save samples of damaged personal property that you may include in a claim.

Debris Cleanup

The County has contracted with a debris hauler for unincorporated Pinellas and will announce a pickup schedule and what type of debris is eligible for collection soon. If you live in a city, call or check their website for availability of debris pickup in your area.

Separate tree limbs and yard waste from household items or building debris.
Put the debris in separated piles on your curb without blocking the road and away from gutters and storm drains.

Help with Cleanup (Crisis Cleanup Hotline)

Please note: This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

Home and Business Repairs

Is your property damaged? Read our Rebuilding After a Storm webpage before beginning your repairs to ensure your house can better withstand future storms.

Make sure contractors you hire are licensed – unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate homeowners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. Verify contractors are licensed at contractorsearch.pcclb.com. If you do not have internet access, you can also call the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (727) 582-3100 and choose Option 2 for Licensing to check whether a contractor is licensed.

What to Do with Used Sandbags

You can reuse clean sandbags, but do not throw contaminated sandbags in your trash can or dump them on the beach. You can bring used sandbags, separated from other waste, to the Solid Waste Disposal Complex. More information at: pinellas.gov/sandbags

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.

Pinellas Update: Cooling Stations open Saturday

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:54:46 GMT

Pinellas Update: Cooling stations open Saturday

Pinellas County has opened cooling stations in areas where residents remain without power following Hurricane Helene. These stations will provide a place for residents to cool off and charge their phones.

They will be open today, Saturday, Sept. 28, until further notice at the following locations/times:

Clearwater:

Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd, Clearwater – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Road, Clearwater – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Countryside Rec Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive, Clearwater – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McMullen Tennis Complex, 1000 Edenville Ave., Clearwater – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr Ave., Clearwater – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A Mother’s Arms, 714 N Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (limited capacity)

All Clearwater libraries will be open Saturday, Sept. 28, except for the Beach Library.

St. Petersburg:

City locations will be open Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Azalea Recreation Center (1600 72nd St. N)
Enoch D. Davis Center (1111 18th Ave. S)
Robert Recreation Center (1246 50th Ave. N)

Community locations will be open on Saturday, Sept. 28:

City On a Hill Church (4265 13th Ave, N): Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mount Zion AME Church (1045 16th St. S): Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church (955 20th St, S): Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Madeira Beach

Madeira Beach City Hall, 14225 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, Saturday, Sept. 28, – 8 a.m. to sunset, until further notice.

Seminole

Seminole Recreation Center, 9100 113th St, Seminole, Saturday, Sept. 28, – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Closed Sunday, reopening Monday, Sept. 30).

Largo

Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Dr, Largo – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Sunday, reopening Monday, Sept. 30).

Check with your local municipality for additional cooling station options.

Second Pinellas County Post Storm Update from Dave Eggers office

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:35:27 GMT

Here are some additional helpful tips and information for you.

Crisis Cleanup

Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386. This is for people who need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene and connects people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able assist with jobs such as mucks outs (cleaning up), trees, tarp, and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Please note: This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

Home Safety

Avoid downed power lines. Report downed lines to the power company if you are able.
Do not wade through floodwaters, which could have live power lines, sewage, wildlife and dangerous objects.
Use a generator safely. Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
If you have an electric vehicle or golf cart and it was exposed to salt water, it needs to be moved away from your home by at least 50 feet. These vehicles may catch fire in the coming days.

Reporting/Repairing Damage

9-1-1 is for reporting life-threatening emergencies only – not damages or power outages. Report issues such as downed traffic lights, broken traffic signs or other damage to public infrastructure through SeeClickFix at pinellas.gov/SeeClickFix.

Photograph and list all damaged or lost items, including their age and value where possible. Take photos of how high the water was in the house. After photographing, remove any wet contents as soon as possible to prevent mold. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
Contact your insurance agent and file your insurance claim as soon as possible. Learn more at pinellas.gov/flood-insurance.
Report damages to your home, business, roads or other public infrastructure to qualify our community for federal aid. See links at: disaster.pinellas.gov.
Do not do work on your home that is beyond your limitations, especially with large tree branches.
Make sure contractors you hire are licensed – unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate homeowners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. If you do not have internet access, you can also call the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (727) 582-3100 and choose Option 2 for Licensing to check whether a contractor is licensed.

Water & Sewer Issues

Pinellas County Utilities has more than 100 pump stations that are non-operational due to power outages.
Minimize flushing toilets, washing dishes, laundry, dishwashers etc. to prevent wastewater backing up.
If you see water bubbling out of manholes, please report them by calling (727) 464-4000.

Lost Pets

If you have lost or found a pet, visit pinellas.gov/lost-and-found.
The Pinellas County Animal Services shelter is closed Friday, Sept. 27, but anticipates opening Saturday morning. At that time, you can visit the Pinellas County Animal Services’ Found Center to check for your lost pet or drop off a found pet at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
Found Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can check other local animal shelters as well.
If you find a lost pet on Friday, Sept. 27, you may be able to take it to Tampa Bay Vet Specialists Emergency Center, 1601 S. Belcher Road, Largo. Call first: (727) 531-5752.

Get updates on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by visiting disaster.pinellas.gov, Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov; search hashtag #PCHelene.

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.

Pinellas County Post Storm Update from Dave Eggers Office

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:33:49 GMT

Good morning to everyone!

Well, we at least made it through storm! I know there has been damage sustained throughout the county, but we were all extremely lucky to have NOT taken a direct hit from Helene. If you sustained damage, I am so very sorry but I am glad you are able to read this. It is going to take time, patience, and people working together and eventually homes will be repaired, things replaced, and life will return to a new normal. We will get through this!

If you are signed up for alerts, you should have received a notification this morning to remain where you are located until instructed otherwise due to dangerous situations. Some road conditions are still very dangerous in places throughout the County. If you don’t need to go out this morning, please remain where you are for a bit. Crews are out assessing the damage and clearing roads. The Sheriff’s office has established a unified command to coordinate and continue search and recover efforts as well as working with Duke Energy, FDOT, municipalities, subcontractors, and county crews as they work to remove sand and debris from the roadways. Please don’t impede this process by going out if you don’t have a valid reason.

Traffic

There are still power outages. Some Traffic lights and intersections are not functioning. Please remember:

Flashing Yellow Traffic Signal – Proceed with caution, your direction has the right of away.

Flashing Red Traffic Signal – Yield and once it is clear, proceed. Your direction does NOT have right of way

Traffic signal complete out – Treat as an ALL-WAY STOP

Airports

St. Pete Clearwater Airport is still closed. Tampa International Airport is open and operational. Passengers with flights out of Tampa should check with the airlines for schedules.

Duke Energy

Power outages are at approx. 40% of customer base is experiencing power outages. Duke is working to get power restores as soon as they can. If you have not reported the outage you may want to go online or call the outage line to make sure it has been reported.

County Office & Parks

County offices are closed today. Pinellas County Parks remain closed until crews are able to complete assessment and remove debris.

Solid Waste

Solid Waste is currently closed to citizens today. It is only open today to haulers and municipalities only. Solid Waste will open as soon as operationally able.

After the Storm

I have attached a checklist I downloaded from the American Red Cross website that I thought might be helpful for those who may have sustained damage as they work their way after the storm. I would also suggest you make sure you have a current copy of all your insurance policies and have thoroughly reviewed them. Also, I would highly recommend you contact your insurance agent to find out exactly what you should be documenting and direction. I would highly suggest taking pictures and videos of EVERYTHING inside and out before you begin any clean-up.

Please keep referring to www.disaster.pinellas.gov for additional updates as information is available. I don’t know much I can assist going forward, but please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to do whatever I can to assist.

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

Post Helene Update in Pinellas County 09/27/2024

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:12:57 GMT

This is an update from Robin Miller President of The Tampa Bay Beach Chamber.

It is with a heavy heart that I send today's STORM UPDATE. We know that from Passagrille to Clearwater Beach the impacts are staggering. We also know the business community is anxious to get out and assess the damages. Please be patient.

Access to barrier islands remains CLOSED, until further notice

From SHERIFF:
Gulf Boulevard looks like a war zone. It's not passable/dangerous. There is empathy that you want to get there. At this time it is not safe. They are working as quickly as possible.
Massive debris all over the islands.

Pinellas County 10:30 Briefing:

If you do not have to go anywhere, they ask you to stay home
There is a lot of debris, downed lines, and other damages
PIE Airport will open today
All parks are closed
5 Fatalities (2 Treasure Island 2 Indian Rocks 1 Dunedin)
132 Pump Stations not operable
Experiencing low press in South County
Conserve water is key to helping restore systems quickly
About 40% of customers experience power outages, Duke is responding as quickly as possible

If you need accommodations: Hurricane Helene Updates and Hotel Availability | Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida (visitstpeteclearwater.com)

HOTELS: Could you please let Visit St. Pete Clearwater know the status (when you are able) of your availability at PR@visitspc.com

Additionally, the Business Damage Assessment Survey is now available
https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey

Win $100 with a Towel Photo

Mon, 13 May 2024 16:49:10 GMT

In case you missed it, Linnea Hall of St. Petersburg, FL won our first towel contest. She submitted this photograph of her holding one of our awesome towels the furthest distance from the Tampa Bay Area - in Seattle, WA. That'd be about 2,600 miles away for those of you playing at home.

For her efforts, Ms. Hall won a cool $100. If YOU would like to win $100, enter our current Towel Photo Contest.

Between now and August, send us a photo of as many people as possible standing BEHIND a TBFB towel. At least one arm or one leg or the upper-half or the bottom-half of a body must be covered by the towel.

Sending a photo of planet earth peeking from one side of the towel will result in prolonged public ridicule. Otherwise, the winner and photo will be published in the August newsletter.

Send your photos to editor@tampabayfreebeaches.org.

You can acquire one of our towels in an array of tropical colors or a modest donation by clicking here.

We're Gaining Ground

Sun, 12 May 2024 12:33:26 GMT

Dear TBFB Board and Members:

President Rettig, Treasurer Clark, and I had a very busy week lobbying and advocating on behalf of all members in the TBFB family. Our education and advocacy brought us back before Pinellas County decision makers in our quest to set aside the East Beach in Fort DeSoto for nude recreation.

So far, TBFB has personally met six of the seven commissioners in Pinellas County, including Chair Peters. We also met with Sheriff Gaultieri, a most influential figure in Pinellas County politics, and left with positive feedback and an open door policy to discuss implementation and operations when the time comes.

The most important job the TBFB family can do at this juncture in the process of education and advocacy is for us to focus our efforts in building goodwill with each Commissioner by establishing friendships and trust. We accomplish this by participating and supporting their election or reelection campaigns through the Primaries (August 20, 2024) and General election (November 5th, 2024).

How can I help? Please reach out to President Rettig with your desire to help. All help, monetary or the gift of your time, is extremely valuable.

ACTION PLAN: TBFB will seek to support our friends in the Commission and those running by doing the following:

Volunteer one Saturday for 2-3 hours to walk (canvas) neighborhoods on behalf of our friends.
Raise funds of any denomination to help with the election or reelection efforts.
Volunteer to participate in a Phone bank calling residents of Pinellas County to support our candidate friends by way of telephone calls.
And lastly, please familiarize yourself with each candidate and encourage your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, business associates, and neighbors to support our friends thus ensuring a positive outcome in our quest to secure a future beach.

We are now preparing to meet with the County Manager and his professional staff, including the Assistant County Attorney, and Parks Director. These are the meetings that will set in motion the creation of an Ordinance and Resolution securing and setting aside the East Beach at Fort DeSoto.

In closing we "THANK YOU" for your support, commitment, and vision.

Yours truly,

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

Progress in Pinellas

Thu, 02 May 2024 18:55:11 GMT

Dear TBFB Members and Friends:

I am thrilled to report the ongoing success of our education campaign (advocacy) toward the goal of establishing a set aside nude beach in Pinellas County.

We have concluded a week of scheduled meeting with several people. The goals for this week of meetings were aggressive.

We scheduled to meet key Pinellas County figures in the following offices: County Attorney's Office, Sheriff, two individual County Commissioners, and the Chair of the County Commission.

Every interaction was positive and informative.

There was an last-minute cancellation by Commissioner Peters. A follow up meeting with Chair Peters will take place the week of May 8th to discuss our plan in detail and to solicit her assistance and support of the project and the ability for us to work with her professional county staff.

Our visit with County Sheriff Gualtieri was welcoming, efficient, and interactive. Sheriff Gualtieri understands it is the job of the county commission to decide the issue of a set aside, but personally has no issue with a set aside or designation concept as presented, a palpable affirmation. The Sheriff also proffered “If there ever was such a beach, the East Beach at Fort DeSoto would be ideal." The Sheriff was versed on the topic and understands the recreational and economic benefit derived by niche tourism markets and the benefit they could derive to improve services for Pinellas County and its residents.

Opportunities for YOU to participate:

A majority of the Pinellas County Commission are running for election and re-election, giving US, "TBFB”, the ideal and perfect opportunity to help our friends get elected to ensure our project becomes a reality.

Four county commission seats have open races in November 2024. Seats 1,3, 5, 7 are open.

District 1, Open Race - (Two Candidates one Rep. & one Dem.)
District 3, Charlie Justice (D) (A Friend),
Chris Latvala (R) (A Friend),
District 7 Rene Flowers (D) (unknown)

We, (EACH AND EVERY TBFB MEMBER) will need to help each of these candidates starting now thru November to build a friendship and develop trust.

Maryanne and Jack will share with you in detail an opportunity we have with Commissioner Charlie Justice.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches appreciates everyone’s support and you can contribute to assist us in this endeavor at www.tampabayfreebeaches.org.

Thank You.

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

Yes, You ARE Important!

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:40:59 GMT

TBFB is looking for people with these skills:

FUNDRAISER: Do you have experience and expertise in raising serious cash for nonprofits? We’re not talkin’ bake sales, car washes, or bank robbery here. We’re looking for an individual who can work with our Board of Directors to raise $10,000 by the end of this year. This is a volunteer position. For more information, email jack@tampabayfreebeaches.com.

LEGAL EXPERT: Are you a Legal Eagle with a keen understanding of Federal and State laws pertaining to nonprofits? We need your volunteer expertise to keep us on the straight and narrow. (Billing rate: $0 per hour) For more information, email jack@tampabayfreebeaches.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA GURU: We are looking for a volunteer who really knows how to leverage social media to maximum advantage. We’re currently on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok (although we haven’t figured out TikTok yet). Work with our creative team to make sure people are kept up-to-date with everything TBFB and take us to heights heretofore unknown! For more information, email dave@tampabayfreebeaches.com.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches News to Know

DOH-Pinellas Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert

With spike in mosquito-borne illness detection, take extra care

The Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg bring together a panel of experts to discuss how food shapes a thriving community

Detour Planned for Wednesday Night: US 19 South of Northside Drive

Pinellas: Cold night shelters open Saturday and Sunday nights

Water Shortage Information

Peoples First Hurricne Recovery Program - Pinellas County

Information about People First Hurricane Recovery Programs, a Pinellas County Initiative

Applying for the Program

Helpful Links & More Information

Pinellas County waives after-the-fact permit penalties to support storm recovery

Pinellas: With spike in mosquito-borne illness detection, take extra caution

2025 Hurricane Season is Here. Be Prepared

Pinellas County to hold self-serve sandbag events on June 13-14

Most Pinellas County offices closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth

Analysis: House tourist development tax plan would cripple Florida’s economy

Beach Brief

Residual Storm Damage

Semi-Annual Water Maintenenace-Pinellas County

Pinellas County Business Unmet Needs Survey

Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds (CDBG-DR)

For Pinellas County Residents - National Community Survey

Fort De Soto North Beach Opening on Feb. 17

Fort De Soto Scheduled to Reopen Fully on Feb. 17

Ft De Soto Reopening in Phases

Fort De Soto Reopening in Phases

New Parking Fee at Fort De Soto Park

Important Traffic Advisory - Pinellas County

Charlie Justice Appointed as new President & CEO of Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber

Ft De Soto Update 01/06/2025

Fort De Soto Reopening in Phases

New Parking Fee at Fort De Soto Park

East Beach Update 12/27/2024

Pinellas County Update 12/20/2024

Ft De Soto Update 12/16/2024

Storm Closure Update (Dec. 16, 2024)

Pinellas County Update - Recovery Information

Post Hurricane Ft De Soto Restoration Progress

Update on Ft De Soto Post Hurricane Recovery

St. Pete Beach Announces Waiver of Permit Fees for Storm-Related Repairs to Homes and Businesses

** VERY IMPORTANT** Substantial Damage Rule Information - Pinellas County

Update on Post Helene and Milton Fundraiser

A Special Message from VisitSPC President/CEO Brian Lowack

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections announces Polling Place adjustments following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Post Hurricane Updates & Goings On - Pinellas County

Information for Recovery in Pinellas County

FINAL PRE MILTON UPDATE FROM THE TAMPA BAY BEACHES CHAMBER

Important Information- Pinellas County- Hurricane Milton

DUNEDIN HURRICANE UPDATE

Attention Dunedin Causeway Residents

City Updates

Debris Update

Alert Pinellas

Latest Storm Updates on the City Website

County Information Center

Please Conserve Water

Subscribe to our Newsletter

City of Dunedin

CitIzens Urges Policyholders to Prepare for Hurricane Milton

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HELP BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE HURRICANE

PINELLAS COUNTY STORM UPDATE - HELENE & MILTON

Pinellas County Update 10/04/2024

East Beach Post Helene Update

Post Hurricane Assistance

After The Storm Information

Pinellas Update: Cooling Stations open Saturday

Second Pinellas County Post Storm Update from Dave Eggers office

Pinellas County Post Storm Update from Dave Eggers Office

Post Helene Update in Pinellas County 09/27/2024

Win $100 with a Towel Photo

We're Gaining Ground

Progress in Pinellas

Yes, You ARE Important!

VERY IMPORTANT Substantial Damage Rule Information - Pinellas County