Storm recovery resources for businesses, residents

Local government and community leaders continue providing critical resources for area small business owners and residents left shell-shocked in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Pinellas County Economic Development announced Monday that Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) officials have arrived in St. Pete Beach. They will provide free one-on-one consulting and application assistance from the Pinellas Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) at the Tradewinds Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd.

Local, state and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officials partnered to establish the MAC. Helene’s storm surge inundated the surrounding coastal communities, and Milton’s torrential rains and 100 mph wind gusts subsequently mitigated short-lived recovery efforts.

Local business owners can meet with professionally certified consultants at the mobile facility from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Thursday, Oct. 17. The FSBDC does not require appointments to receive assistance regarding SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, SBA Physical Disaster Loans and the Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Bridge Program.

Dr. Cynthia Johnson, director of Pinellas County Economic Development, said the FSBDC team is “working around the clock” to assist impacted businesses. She urged owners to utilize available resources.

“Pinellas County small businesses have been hit with a one-two punch by Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “These powerful storms have caused widespread damage, especially to areas that are part of our economic engine – the beach communities.”

The Florida Small Business Development Center’s mobile facility will offer assistance to small business owners. Photo provided.

St. Petersburg residents

City officials lifted a boil water notice Monday morning after four days. However, nearly 75,000 Duke Energy customers remain without power in Pinellas County, and many lack food or a way to cook meals.

Three Comfort and Charging Stations will operate until 6 p.m. Monday. Locations include:

• Enoch D. Davis Center, at 111 18^th S.
• Roberts Recreation Center, at 1246 50^th N.
• Azalea Recreation Center, at 1600 72^nd N.

The World Central Kitchen began offering free hot meals throughout the city Monday afternoon as supplies last. Locations include:

• Franklin Pierce Recreation Center, at 2000 7^th S. (started at noon).
• Childs Park Recreation Center, at 4301 13^th S. (started at 12:30 p.m.).
• Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, at 1045 16^th S. (started at 12:30 p.m.).
• Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church, at 3455 26^th S. (started at 12:30 p.m.).
• Zion Human Services, at 945 20^th St. S. (started at 12:30 p.m.).
• Lake Vista Recreation Center, at 1401 62^nd S. (started at 1 p.m.).
• Walter Fuller Recreation Center, at 7891 26^th N. (started at 1 p.m.).
• Liberty Baptist Church, at 9401 4^th N. (started at 1 p.m.).

McDonald’s will provide free meals and bottled water from its McRig truck from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Wednesday at 9600 4^th St. N. The mobile fast-food restaurant recently assisted Helene victims in Asheville, North Carolina.

St. Petersburg and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Agency officials have extended fare-free bus service through Sunday, Oct. 28. The initiative applies to regular routes – not paratransit – that begin and end within city limits.

State leadership reopened a free Fuel Distribution Site at 800 1^st Ave. S. Monday morning. Residents, who should expect an extensive wait, can receive up to 10 gallons of gas.

A Multiagency Resource Center opened Monday afternoon in the Enoch Davis Center with expanded resources. Residents can access various disaster recovery-related services and information at the facility from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Participating organizations include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Department of Insurance Regulation and the Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators.

All city facilities and services, including trash and recycling collection, have resumed operation. Brush sites will accept vegetative debris from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. However, commercial haulers must utilize the Temporary Debris Management site at 1953 72^nd St. N. until further notice.

Experiencing two major storms in less than two weeks can negatively impact mental health. Available resources include:

• The Disaster Distress Helpline provides continuous, free crisis counseling to anyone who calls or texts 1-800-985-5990.
• Care About Me is Pinellas County’s access line for mental health, substance use and addiction services. Residents can call or text 1-888-431-1998 to speak with a behavioral health specialist.
• The 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline will provide critical assistance and support. Those in need should call or text 988.