Hurricane Community Assistance

Dealing with Damage in your home

As soon as it's safe to return home, contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim.
Photograph and list all damaged items including their age and value.
Insurance adjusters will need evidence of damage to prepare an estimate, so take photos of water in your house, including structural, personal property and floodwater levels. You can also record serial numbers of large appliances and collect receipts for damaged items.

Community Partners

The City of Tampa recommends the following community organizations that are providing resources to those in need:

Salvation Army
American Red Cross
Metropolitan Ministries
United Way Suncoast
Feeding Tampa Bay
Bay Area Legal Services
Samaritan's Purse

Food Resources

Feeding Tampa Bay is operational and distributing food from their Causeway Center.

Due to the recent hurricanes that impacted our area, Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits are available to eligible families. D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps).

Families in Hillsborough County can preregister beginning on Monday 11/11 and can apply through 11/15.

Florida's Price Gouging Hotline

Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline. Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it at MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

Safety Tips for After a Flood

Return home only when officials have declared the area safe. Use caution before entering your home: look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks and other damage.

If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report them to the power company.

If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.

Cleaning products, paint, batteries and fuel containers have the potential to be hazardous. Please check with local authorities for assistance with disposal.

Keep an eye out for animals such as snakes, possums and raccoons that may have moved into your evacuated home, as they often look for relief from floodwaters.

If you drive an electric vehicle and there are floodwaters around your home, do not drive through it. If water gets into the battery, it could potentially cause a fire.

Dealing with Damage in your home

As soon as it's safe to return home, contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim.

Photograph and list all damaged items including their age and value.

Insurance adjusters will need evidence of damage to prepare an estimate, so take photos of water in your house, including structural, personal property and floodwater levels. You can also record serial numbers of large appliances and collect receipts for damaged items.

Prepare a Proof of Loss

Your insurance adjuster will help you prepare a Proof of Loss, which is a sworn statement of the amount you're claiming. You'll need to file this with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood.
You can take measures to mitigate further damage, such as tarping, but don't repair damage before your adjuster visits.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

If you have been displaced from your home and you have temporary housing outside of Gorrie district, please share your new address with the teacher. ALL STUDENTS ARE STILL WELCOME AT GORRIE.
There will be grief/trauma counseling and support groups available at school for any child in need. Please reach out to your classroom teacher or Ms. Spencer - kelly.spencer@hcps.net
If your child has lost or damaged library books, there will be no penalty to them. Please email or have your child tell Ms. Wilcox.
Please rest assured that the teachers and staff at Gorrie are there for your child and family. School is our children's safe place and we have built such a strong school community that will carry us through this difficult time. We are all here for one another.
If you are aware of a family in need who does not have access to internet or even the time to reach out for help, please email their name and contact info to your child's teacher or Ms. Spencer.

Below is a list of resources for families:

Electric:
Wheelwright 813 347 3308
https://lightningrestorationfla.com/

Construction/Remediation:
https://carapezzaconstruction.com
Www.fortisdbs.com
ServePro
Coastal DKI
Paul Davis
Flood Pro 813 452 5453
VetCor
Belfor Tampa 800 856 3333
DriRite
Puro Clean 844 444 PURO
Master Renovation 877 433 1474
www.spauldingdecon.com
Colli 813 810 2364

Public Adjuster:
Cory Shipley with Five Star Claims Adjusting (561) 706-6942
Pete Price (813) 362-9404
Hunter Gunderson 813 340 0017
https://www.garrettclaimsgroup.com/

Movers:
Brothers EZ moving.
MUV
https://www.kowalskimoves.com
Jared Piazza - 727 512 0098
Golden Movers

Pool cleaners:
Jon - 813-376-5068.

Foundation / Jacking up houses:
Matt from LRE

Solar Needs/Back Up Battery/House Systems:

Tampa Bay Solar

https://tampabaysolar.com/