Need help after Hurricane Helene? How to get food, funds, counseling and more

Hurricane Helene hit Tampa Bay hard, but help is here. The list of ways for storm survivors to find food, supplies and support is growing.

If you’re looking for ways to assist others who were impacted by the storm, we have a guide to that here.

See a resource or event that isn’t on this list? Email gcalise@tampabay.com.

General Hurricane Helene resources

If you’re in distress, trained counselors are available to talk via the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The line is open 24 hours a day, with multilingual options. Text ‘talkwithus’ to 66746 (use ‘hablanos’ for Spanish). Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can text or call the helpline at 800-985-5590 using their preferred Relay provider.

To apply for individual assistance through FEMA, call 800-621-3362. Here’s a guide to applying for FEMA aid.

To find a food pantry or a food distribution event, visit feedingtampabay.org or text FTBFYI to 833-530-3663.

For assistance with clean up, call the Hurricane Crisis Clean Up Hotline at 844-965-1386.

See something that feels like fraud? Here’s a guide to avoid getting scammed. Call Consumer Protection at 727-464-6200.

How to get help in Hillsborough

If you have questions, call Tampa’s Emergency Hotline at 1-833-TPA-INFO(872-4636). Operating hours are from noon to 8 p.m.

If you need supplies or a rest, Tampa has opened two comfort stations. These places provide free lunch and dinner, restrooms, showers, ice, water and laundry services, as well as other resources. City of Tampa permitting staff are also on-site for expedited permit review and inspections to help with storm damage repair. Visit DeSoto Park at 2617 Corrine St. or Marjorie Park at 97 Columbia Drive.

For free laundry assistance, Tampa residents can visit Wash Zone on 5235 S. Dale Mabry Highway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For one-on-one help with FEMA, visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Hillsborough County and get help from FEMA representatives. Hillsborough Community College - The Regent is located at 6437 Watson Road, Riverview. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

To get a small business loan, apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Loans up to $50,000 are available to businesses across Hillsborough County that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Visit floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund to learn more about the program, or call 833-832-4494 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How to get help in Pinellas

If you have questions or need help finding a temporary shelter, call Pinellas County’s Information Center at 727-464-4333 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., or use live chat at disaster.pinellas.gov.

To locate a Pinellas cooling station near you, check this list.

If you need a shower, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is offering its locker rooms — no membership required. Check in first at the front desk.

If you need supplies, visit a Pinellas distribution center, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• St. Pete Beach: 4700 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Food, water and tarps available.
• Treasure Island: 10451 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. Food, water and tarps available.
• Tierra Verde Fire Station: 540 Sands Point Drive, Tierra Verde. Only water is available.

Find free food and supplies

Local restaurants and businesses are hosting fundraisers, free meals and more. We’ll add their social posts here as they come in.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times hurricane coverage 2024

5 things to know about the 2024 hurricane season, according to forecasters.

Forecasters predict ‘extremely active’ 2024 hurricane season. Here’s why.

Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here’s where to look.

Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits.