The free Blue Roof program provides plastic sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs in Hillsborough County until permanent repairs can be made

Residents in Hillsborough County may be eligible for Operation Blue Roof. Operation Blue Roof provides a temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.

The free program is offered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and is eligible to homeowners and landlords.

MORE

Operation Blue Roof: How Pinellas residents can get a free tarp for their roof damage

Pinellas County residents who sustained damage to their roofs can get a temporary blue tarp installed for free. Starting Saturday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will station mobile registration units in St. Pete and Madeira Beach to install the tarps for residents, in what they’re calling “Operation Blue Roof.”....MORE

How Floridians can get food assistance after back-to-back hurricanes

Floridians affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton can now receive food assistance. On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced the state’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program (DSNAP) application was approved.....MORE

Tampa Opens More FEMA Help Centers For Hurricane Victims

Tampa is expanding its efforts to assist residents affected by recent hurricanes by opening three new FEMA assistance centers tomorrow, October 23rd.

These centers will offer computer access and support to residents applying for FEMA assistance online. This is particularly helpful for those who lack internet access or need help navigating the application process.

MORE

Floridians May be Eligible for Transitional Sheltering in Hotels

FEMA has activated Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton in 52 counties and for tribal members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians.

Residents in these counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA.

MORE

Lose your pets during Hurricane Milton? This Florida sheriff's office is looking for owners

Nearly 80 pets went missing during Hurricane Milton in Florida's Polk County alone, the county sheriff's office said.

The office's animal control division is searching for the owners of 44 dogs and 32 cats that were found during the hurricane and is trying to reunite the animals with their owners.

MORE

Did Hurricane Milton just turn FEMA funding into a deciding issue in Florida’s federal elections?

Several members of Florida’s congressional delegation want Congress back in Washington to approve new funding for Hurricane Milton relief. That includes several lawmakers who last month voted against a budget deal to keep the government open.....MORE

Johnson: Additional hurricane aid ‘can wait’ until Congress is back in session

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday said passing additional hurricane aid for states impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton “can wait” until Congress is back in session after the election.....MORE

EVACUATIONS: Tampa Bay-area counties under mandatory evacuation orders due to Hurricane Milton

Local, county and state leaders are taking necessary steps to ensure people remain safe from Hurricane Milton's forecasted effects. That includes the potential for evacuation orders.

List of evacuation orders HERE

AccuWeather Warns Tampa Bay Region To Prepare For Potential ‘Historic’ Hurricane Milton

AccuWeather meteorologists are issuing urgent warnings as Hurricane Milton intensifies and approaches the Florida Gulf Coast, posing an extreme threat to lives and property. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic impacts, including 10-15 feet of storm surge, 120-140 mph wind gusts, and more than two feet of rain in some areas. Milton has been rated a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale, signaling widespread flooding, severe structural damage, and life-threatening conditions.....MORE

Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco schools close ahead of Tropical Storm Milton

Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County Schools announced they are closing schools starting Monday due to Tropical Storm Milton.....DETAILS

Tampa opens city parking garages for free ahead of Milton

The City of Tampa has opened all of its parking garages for free so residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas can protect their cars ahead of Milton.

Garages will be open free of charge until at least 5 p.m. Thursday, depending on storm damage, city officials said. Those who don’t remove their cars before the garages return to normal operations will be charged the standard parking rate.

MORE (incl. list of garages)