Dealing With the Aftermath of the Storm
What’s in a name? While “Milton” sounds like a friend you can count on when preparing your taxes, Hurricane Milton was no friend to Florida this week. The storm brought strong winds and heavy storm surge to a large swath of west central Florida this week, leaving devastation that can take days, weeks or months to repair.
As Plant Citians start to assess and repair the storm damage, City Manager, Bill McDaniel, encouraged residents to not be in a rush to assess the damage. “This complicates response and clearing efforts and can put people in danger from fallen debris, damaged roadways and downed utility poles,” he said.
McDaniel cautions residents to prepare for an extended recovery period because if the city receives significant damage the recovery will take time. “Stay tuned to city social media and website and local media on recovery efforts and any special instructions,” he said. “Take care of yourself, your loved ones, your neighbors and your pets in the aftermath of the storm. We are all in this together and we will deal with the effects of Hurricane Milton as the strong community that we are.”
Here is some information about the city’s plans for cleanup after Milton.
Cleaning Up Debris-Trash Collection
In the City of Plant City, there will be no trash and recycling collection on Thursday, Oct. 10. City officials hope to resume normal solid waste collection on Fri., Oct. 11 but will be dependent on road conditions. If you have vegetative debris, stack it curbside during the weekend of Oct. 12 and 13 so that collection may begin Monday, Oct. 14. Be sure to keep vegetative debris separate from other types of solid waste at the curb and keep all piles at least three feet from mailboxes, fire hydrants, power poles, cable boxes, trash roll carts and other obstacles. This information is subject to change. Residents can monitor alerts on the City’s website (www.plantcitygov.com) or social media platforms.
If you live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, visit www.hcfl.gov for information about trash and recycling services.
Power Outages
If your power goes out, report it to TECO at (813) 223-0800. If you see downed or damaged power lines, call 911 to report it but stay at least 35 feet away from them and anything they are touching. Don’t walk in flooded areas because there could be downed power lines you can’t see. Don’t use electrical equipment or electronics that have been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system. After the storm, Plant City will have its building inspectors out assessing damage and they will be able to give guidance to affected structure owners/tenants.
FEMA Individual and Household Assistance
The Individual and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricane Milton. Assistance and services may cover uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.
If you have insurance (homeowners, flood, auto, etc.), file a claim as soon as possible. Losses already covered by insurance cannot be covered by FEMA.
To apply for assistance, visit disasterassistance.gov.
Be Alert For Scammers
Being in a situation of having to secure contractors to repair or replace what has been lost can put you in a position of vulnerability. This is when scammers show up, pretending to be helpful contractors or FEMA agents but really just seeking an opportunity to take your money.
Attorney General Ashley Moody has warned Floridians to be vigilant for price gouging, disaster scams and fraud in the storm’s aftermath. “Unfortunately, it is now when people are left vulnerable from a catastrophe that bad actors may swoop in to exploit Floridians with contractor fraud, debris-removal scams and more,” she said. “Please make sure that all services are legitimate before signing a contract- check out our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm resource for additional tips to avoid falling victim to disaster-related scams.”
Her office suggests these tips when hiring a contractor:
Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under a policy;
Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs;
Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job;
Research a company and its reputation- look for references online, or ask a friend;
Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com;
Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency;
Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation;
Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who did not get paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay the homeowner, the liens will remain on the title;
Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront, and research the company thoroughly before providing large deposits; and
Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable Floridians after a storm. When seeking aid, consider the following:
No state or federal disaster-relief agency will call asking for personal information;
State and federal workers carry identification and will not ask for or accept cash;
Know that applications for FEMA relief programs are free and can be accessed at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1(800) 621-FEMA; and
Beware of anyone who offers to fill out, assist with or expedite an application as they may be seeking access to personal information.
Anyone who suspects price gouging on storm-essential items can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by using the No Scam app, visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Attorney General Moody’s No Scam app can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices through the app store by searching No Scam.
If you Need Immediate Assistance
FEMA’s disaster partners can provide help with immediate needs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not authorized to provide.
Emergency Medical Assistance: Dial 9-1-1.
Emergency Shelter: Locate options by zip code by visiting the American Red Cross or Salvation Army, or by texting SHELTER and your zip code (for example, “SHELTER33547) to 4FEMA. For Spanish text, text REFUGIO and your zip code. You can also download the FEMA mobile App to find open shelters.
Immediate Needs: Check with your local emergency management officials, voluntary agencies or be calling your local 2-1-1. The FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) may be able to provide additional referrals.
