Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Update #5 – Laundry and Bathroom Facilities Available, Dunedin Strong Helping Those in Need

City Updates 

• A Laundry facility (6 washers and 6 dryers) is available for use at no charge outside the Community Center 24/7 starting Wednesday, October 2. Use of facility is first come, first serve and at no cost to users.  Users must provide their own detergent, soaps, and softeners.

• Highlander Pool is officially closed for the season so we are offering the pool's bathhouse for those needing showers starting Wednesday, October 2, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily. There are 4 men's and 4 women's showers available, first come, first serve. Bring towels and toiletries.

• The City of Dunedin is seeking to find support for residents needing local relief from Hurricane Helene and connecting them with community organizations willing to assist with cleaning out damaged homes and properties. Dunedin Strong Volunteer and Relief Form.  

• Dunedin City Hall will be open to residents this week, as a "Cooling/Charging Station" from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Please bring your chargers. 

• The Causeway bathrooms remain closed until further notice.  

• Weaver Park Pier is closed until further notice.  

• Weaver Park Playground is closed until further notice.  

• National Night Out is canceled. 

• 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.  

• The boat ramp at the Marina is closed until further notice. 

• Stirling Park Driving Range is closed until further notice.  

• Power outages: Duke Energy reports crews are working with multiple agencies to restore power Duke Energy - Contact Duke Energy to report or view current power outages in the area.  

Trash & Recycling 

• City curbside collection will continue to operate within regular residential guidelines, which includes servicing garbage and recycling carts and bagged or containerized tree debris. 

• Please note, if you are in a flooded area and your cans have disappeared, please place food waste and recyclables in white kitchen bags in a sperate pile so it can easily be identified until manpower allows replacement distribution. 

• 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 later this week. 

• The City recycling 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 

Volunteering   

• Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up via Volunteer Connect, a statewide online portal to match volunteers with organizations that are looking for help here: volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect. 

Donation Collection Sites 

• Collection sites around Pinellas County are accepting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene. These locations are for donation drop-offs only, unless otherwise specified by the location’s agency. The locations can be found here: pinellas.gov/news/hurricane-helene-donation-collection-sites-open/. 

Hurricane Disaster Recovery Resources 

• 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).  

• Don’t Be Scammed by Contractors. To search for licensed contractors and verify contractor licenses go to: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/ 

• 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. 

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