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October 21, 2024

FEMA Expands Debris Reimbursement: Clearwater Prepares for Enhanced Cleanup Efforts

We are happy to announce that late Friday, FEMA updated what reimbursement they will now provide for cities. You can read the details of the order here  FEMA announced they will now reimburse cities for commercial and condo vegetative, construction and demolition debris. This is good news, and we have spent the past weekend updating our processes and plans so that we are ready to move forward with our debris contractor to start picking up the debris from all the addresses (regardless of residential, commercial or condo) this week.

Although this new order has increased the volume of debris we are picking up, we are still working toward the goal for 90 days removal and will bring in additional resources if needed. We currently have 10 contractor vehicles and 30 contractor personnel supplementing our city workforce. They are working extended days and are working 7 days a week.

We are not able to provide exact time frames as to when we will get to specific addresses, but we will continue to clean up the hardest hit areas first which are on the barrier islands and the areas around Stevenson’s Creek. To speed up collection, make sure your debris is sorted properly into separate piles and placed in the right of way and not on the road. Debris removal will take several weeks to complete. Condos, commercial properties, and businesses are also able to haul away their own debris by using one of the following contractors:

Household Appliances

The following locations are available for commercial haulers:

Construction & Demolition Debris Disposal

The following locations are available for commercial haulers:

Vegetative Debris

The following locations are available for commercial haulers:

Clearwater Beach Web Cameras Back Online

The Clearwater Beach web cameras are now fully operational, offering residents and visitors real-time views of the shoreline. After outage caused by Hurricane Milton, the cameras are back online, providing live streams of beach conditions.

Pinellas Businesses Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton Can Receive Critical Business Recovery Assistance at Two New Locations Starting Oct. 21

Clearwater Beach Lifeguard Update and Pier 60 Status

Clearwater Beach lifeguards are currently stationed at towers located north of Pier 60. At this time, lifeguard towers have not been returned to the south beach area between Pier 60 and the jetty while the city works to replace sand in that area.

Pier 60 sustained significant storm damage and will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Updates on the pier's reopening will be provided as repairs progress. Visitors are encouraged to remain in the areas with lifeguard coverage for their safety.

Resources for Businesses Impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene

Last week the city’s Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Scalos visited Clearwater Beach businesses to conduct wellness checks and to offer resources to help mitigate the impact of the hurricanes. Our team will continue to make visits to support your business. If you’d like to schedule a visit, reach out to Stephanie at 727-444-7157 or stephanie.scalos@myclearwater.com.

Pinellas County Sand Drop-off Site Opens

Pinellas County has opened a sand drop-off site in a parking area at Sand Key Park. It will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice.

Residents (incorporated and unincorporated), businesses and cities can bring sand to the site and unload it under the guidance of County staff. It’s OK to bring clean or dirty sand, provided the dirty sand isn’t obviously contaminated.

The sand will be stored in clean and dirty piles, and the clean sand will be run through a sieve to remove debris and returned to the beach. Some of the dirty sand may be repurposed as fill in areas where it is needed.

Sand Sifting Update

Sand sifting has begun at Clearwater Beach. Click below for an informative video from our Public Works Director Marcus Williamson. 

Parking Lot Options

Our team is working diligently to clean sand and return it to the beach. With many of our parking lots still being used as sand staging areas, we suggest the 6 Avalon St. Parking Lot on North Beach for those looking to enjoy our beautiful beaches.

The Department of Health has not performed water testing yet. They expect to re-start water testing in the coming weeks. Chair and cabana rentals are not currently available on the beach. More information will be shared when it is available.

Parking Enforcement Resumes Oct. 21

The city has resumed parking enforcement in city of Clearwater parking lots and garages.

Pop-Up Permitting Site is Open

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the city of Clearwater will waive building plan review and permit fees for residents and business owners trying to make repairs after the storms. The waiver will be for those customers across the city who were impacted by the storms.

The city has opened a pop-up permitting site that will make it easier for residents and business owners on the Clearwater barrier islands to talk with employees from the Planning and Development Department and begin the permitting process. The site is located at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade, and will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contractors and residents can apply for building permits at the pop-up permitting site or at the Municipal Services Building, 100 S. Myrtle Ave., Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Planning and Development Department is located on the second floor. Contractors can also apply for permits online at MyClearwater.com/Permits.

Business owners who need repairs are reminded to always use licensed contractors. For more information on the permitting process, call 727-562-4567 or email epermit@myclearwater.com.

Ruth Eckerd Hall Pledges To Donate 5,000 Tickets To Pinellas And Pasco County First Responders, Lineman And Beach Hospitality Employees

Ruth Eckerd Hall announced to pledge 5,000 tickets to Pinellas and Pasco County First Responders, Lineman and beach hospitality employees. Tickets will be offered to select shows and performances scheduled through the end of the year at venues managed and operated by Ruth Eckerd Hall. 

Those eligible for tickets must present government or company issued identification at The Raymond James Central Ticket Office at Ruth Eckerd Hall when picking up tickets. There is a limit of four tickets per person and the list of performances will be updated as new shows are announced. The ticket office is open Tuesday through Thursday, from noon to 6 p.m., Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m.

FRLA DISASTER RELIEF FUND - GRANTS UP TO $5,000

The FRLA Disaster Relief Fund is an initiative of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation that strives to provide economic relief to Florida’s hospitality industry and workforce following an emergency event. Through the FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF), funds will be distributed as they become available to assist impacted restaurants and lodging establishments and support the hospitality workforce. Membership in the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) has no bearing on selection. Assistance will be provided to help restaurants and lodging establishments impacted by an emergency event to recover, repair, and re-open. 

FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance Program

Pinellas County is asking hotels to register to participate in the FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance Program. This program is administered by Corporate Lodging Consultants (CLC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA will provide direct payment to hotels who house pre-qualified individuals from disaster areas.

For additional information on the FEMA CLC Program: Visit https://ela.corplodging.com/faq.php, email femahousing@clclodging.com or call (866) 545-9865.

Pinellas Mobile Assistance Center

The Florida SBDC at USF will be on-site at the Pinellas Mobile Assistance Center to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Professionally certified consultants are available to guide you through these critical recovery programs:

• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
• SBA Physical Disaster Loan
• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Location: Madeira Beach City Hall, 300 Municipal Dr., Madeira Beach, FL 33708

Dates: Monday, Oct. 21 to Thursday, Oct. 24

Hours: 10 a.m. - 3.p.m.

Contractor Information

• All demolition and construction work on a commercial property must be performed by a licensed contractor unless exempted by Chapter 489.103, Florida Statutes.
• All demolition and construction contractors in the state of Florida must be licensed, either by the state (known as state-certified contractors) or by the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (locally-certified contractors).
• State-certified contractors can be verified online: myfloridalicense.com
• County-certified contractors can be verified online: www.pcclb.com

Out-of-State Contractors

• The state of Florida has reciprocity with a very limited number of out-of-state jurisdictions. Contractors who are NOT licensed in the state of Florida CANNOT WORK in Pinellas County.
• The PCCLB may grant temporary licenses to specialty contractors from other jurisdictions in Florida based on emergency orders by the state.

Unlicensed Contractors

• The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, Pinellas County Consumer Protection and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office enforce against unlicensed contracting. Fines for unlicensed contracting start at $500 and may escalate up to and including arrest.

Florida Business Damage Assessment Is Available for Businesses Damaged by Hurricane Milton

FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Milton. The program will gather information from businesses affected by the hurricane and share the results with various local, state and federal agencies to implement appropriate disaster relief programs.

Even if you previously filled out a survey for damages that were incurred under Hurricane Helene, you will need to take a new separate survey for new damages incurred under Hurricane Milton.

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has activated the Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

Deadline for filing loan applications

• Hurricane Milton: The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 11, 2025.
• Hurricane Helene: The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 27, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 30, 2025.

Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov or other locally announced locations. Contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Helping Hospitality - Hurricane Urgent Aid Relief Grant

In the wake of the Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, the Above and Beyond Foundation's Urgent Aid Grant Program awards $500 grants to hospitality industry workers that have gone above and beyond but have been affected by the recent hurricanes and flooding. Up to 10 people may be nominated per hotel/business.

Activate Hope Program

Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more eholder text.

Upcoming Events

As Clearwater continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, the city is excited to kick off its new monthly event series, Clearwater Last Friday, with a Hurricane Relief Drive in partnership with local food pantry. Taking place at Coachman Park and throughout Downtown Clearwater on the last Friday of each month, the series will kick off with a special “Fall-O-Ween” celebration on Friday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 10 p.m. 

Recognizing the challenges our community is facing—from debris cleanup to home repairs—this event provides a safe and fun alternative for families looking to enjoy Halloween, while also offering resources and giving back to those affected by the storms. There will also be a candy trail hosted by a variety of nonprofits, vendors and community partners. 

With BayCare Ballpark still undergoing repairs from hurricane damage, the Threshers’ annual Halloween Boo Bash activities will be relocated to Coachman Park and combined with the Oct. 25 Last Friday. The Threshers organization will bring their boo bash experience to the event, ensuring the fun continues for kids and families alike. 

October’s event will also include a children’s costume contest, a touch-a-truck experience, a screening of the Halloween classic “Casper,” and a live music performance by LOVESTORY: A Taylor Swift Tribute Band. Families are invited to explore Cleveland Street and Coachman Park, enjoying food, activities and live entertainment in a festive and safe environment.

For more information on available recovery support and to explore the full list of resources, visit MyClearwater.com/Milton Call or email Audra Aja with any questions at 727-444-7162/ audra.aja@myclearwater.com.