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Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Update #3
September, 29 2024
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 Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, along the City Commission and City Manager Jennifer Bramley gave a Hurricane Helene update to the community highlighting flooding, power outages, resources, safety information and trash/recycling and debris collection.
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September 29, 2024 at 5 p.m.
City Updates
- Dunedin City Hall will be open to residents starting Monday, September 30, as a "Cooling/Charging Station" from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Please bring your chargers.
- The Dunedin Library will open tomorrow Monday, September 30 regular business hours
- Public parks, and Recreation facilities, including the Pool and Sprayground, are open.
- The Causeway bathrooms remain closed until further notice.
- Weaver Park Pier is closed until further notice.
- The Marina is closed until further notice due to significant storm damage. Vessel owners are allowed to check on their boats with pre-approved marina passes.
- Stirling Park Driving Range is closed until further notice.
- Power outages: Duke Energy reports crews are working with multiple agencies to restore power to critical services like hospitals, water treatment plants, pump stations, and facilities providing emergency services. Duke Energy - Contact Duke Energy to report or view current power outages in the area.
- Trash & recycling collection resumed on Friday, September 27. We’re asking our community to be patient with delays in collection of storm debris.
- If flooding has occurred at your property please place flooded household materials and tree/yard debris in separate piles at the curb. FEMA will be on site to assess flood debris and bring in FEMA approved contractors for collections. We will have more information on storm flood debris collections next week.
- The City recycle sites will remain closed until our division’s storm related responsibilities allow for manpower to service them. New information and updates will be available on all City social media platforms and DunediNews enews updates.
Please contact Solid Waste for more information:
727-298-3215
SolidWaste@DunedinFL.Net
Hurricane Disaster Recovery Resources
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FEMA assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene. Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app, or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
- The Disaster Distress Helpline is open and provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- Residents who need help cleaning up damage can request assistance through the Crisis Cleanup at (844) 965-1386 or by visiting crisiscleanup.org. Local voluntary relief organizations will respond to these requests.
- Residents needing disaster assistance, including cleanup kits, can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- HOPE Florida is assisting residents with unmet needs. The HOPE Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE (1-833-438-4673) or at hopeflorida.com.
- Feeding Tampa Bay is offering food pantries and food distribution events in Pinellas County for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. The latest information can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov
Disaster Assistance for Businesses
- Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
- Florida Commerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Businesses in Pinellas County, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply.
Latest Storm Updates and Reminders
- 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.
- City water is safe for drinking, but we ask you to continue to conserve use at this time.
Additional Recourses:
Duke Energy - Contact Duke Energy to report or view current power outages in the area.
City of Dunedin Website - Check out our website for important updates and information.
Road Closures - For traffic and closure updates across our area.
Clean-Up Hotline: Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane #Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386.
What to do and Who to Contact Post-Storm Flyer available in both English and Spanish in the linked file
CIC remains open t 727-464-4333.
If you suspect price gouging, report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.
If you’re looking for hotel accommodations in non-evacuation zones, use the Hotel Evacuation Zone Look-Up Tool.
Updates will be posted on disaster.pinellas.gov, sent out via Alert Pinellas and Ready Pinellas, and on Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov.
Pinellas County Hurricane Guide: pinellas.gov/make-a-plan/hurricane-guide-english/
Severe Weather Preparedness: pinellas.gov/preparing-your-home-for-severe-weather/
Flood Information Resources: pinellas.gov/flood-information/
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Want to Volunteer?
Preparing for and recovering from disaster is a team effort. In partnership with Pinellas County, businesses, community groups, faith-based organizations and volunteers help with outreach, emergency response and disaster recovery. We use resources from the whole community to prepare our neighborhoods to be more resilient.
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Important Message - Duke Energy
Rather than this being a traditional wind and rain hurricane, the flooding makes this unprecedented. At this moment, Duke Energy crews are working with multiple fire/rescue agencies to make it safe for them to enter the flood waters to make boat rescues, the first responders were concerned about electrical hazards while doing their work.
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Unlicensed Activity Red Flags
Unlicensed contractors often target homeowners following a storm. Ensure that any contractors you hire for repairs are properly licensed.
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After the Storm Resources
Please visit our Hurricane Page on our website to learn what you need to do after the storm
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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.
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