Nearly Two Years, More Than 60 FL Families Remain on Rebuilding Waitlist
The Floridant/10347535

TAMPA, Fla. - Floridant -- Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida just 13 days apart, more than 60 Florida families remain on Hurricane Help Florida's Hope Rising Rebuild & Resilience Program waitlist. Their needs include roof repairs, mold remediation, interior reconstruction and other storm-related work.

On Sept. 24, two days before the anniversary of Helene's Florida landfall, Hurricane Help Florida will bring hurricane survivors, residents, nonprofits, businesses and recovery organizations together for Remember. Rebuild. Prepare., a community event focused on helping families still recovering from the 2024 storms and preparing residents before the next hurricane.

Funding limits how many rebuilding cases Hurricane Help Florida can take on at once. Through its Hope Rising program, the nonprofit provides materials and household essentials, connects eligible families with vetted contractors and helps them find additional resources to make storm-damaged homes safe and habitable.

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Hurricane Help Florida helps address urgent repairs that cannot wait, making homes safer and more habitable while they pursue insurance, public recovery programs and other long-term assistance.

"The storms passed nearly two years ago, but for many families, the damage never did," said Kristen Seeley, founder and CEO of Hurricane Help Florida. "Children are still living around mold, seniors still have leaking roofs, and homeowners are trying to make unsafe rooms usable again. This event is about remembering what our community endured, supporting neighbors still rebuilding and making sure more families are prepared before the next storm."

Remember. Rebuild. Prepare. takes place Thursday, Sept. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bob Buckhorn River Center, 402 W. Laurel St., Tampa. The event will distribute 500 household preparedness kits and 250 pet preparedness kits and connect residents with local recovery and preparedness organizations.

Advance registration and attendance are required to receive a household preparedness kit, limited to one per family. Pet kits will be available while supplies last. Register at www.hurricanehelpflorida.org and use code RRP2026 to attend for free.

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City of Tampa Chief of Staff John Bennett is scheduled to deliver remarks at approximately 1:30 p.m. SaltBlock Hospitality will provide complimentary lunch from noon to 2 p.m. while supplies last. The event will feature Hurricane Assistance Row sponsored by HP Managing, featuring its carrier brands Monarch National Insurance and Viceroy Preferred Insurance, Contractor's Row sponsored by MGM Recovery, pet preparedness kits sponsored by Better Roofing & Restoration and valet parking sponsored by Optain.co.

Those interested in supporting families still rebuilding can donate or learn more at hurricanehelpflorida.org.

Media Opportunities

Media are welcome throughout the event. The strongest interview and visual window will be from 1 to 2 p.m., including remarks by John Bennett and Kristen Seeley at approximately 1:30 p.m.