FEMA crews are on the ground around Tampa Bay. They are working with residents who need help to fix damage caused by Hurricane Hermine.
The Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park in Port Richey has flooded several times in recent years. And the latest trouble is enough to keep some people from coming down for the winter.
Life on Dream Drive has been more like a nightmare lately for Dot Cote.
“Yea I just had my wallet stolen Friday at WalMart over there. I said come on. How many bangs can you take,” she said.
The wallet theft comes as Dot is still trying to fix damage to her mobile home, caused by the flooding that Hurricane Hermine brought last month.
“I want my ducts fixed. I know there’s something wrong. The fumes are coming through,” she said.
There are also the unwanted pests that seem to thrive when there is flooding. That’s why Ron Murphy is here.
He is going through Dot’s trailer and spraying for bugs.
“A lot of times after rains like this, people find roaches, spiders. Unfortunately with how flooded everything was here, there is a variety of issues,” said Murphy.
FEMA crews are going to door to door in problem spots.
Pasco and seven other counties are part of Florida’s major disaster area.
They are here to help people register for aid.
Residents can get thousands of dollars in grant money that does not have to be repaid.
That cash can go toward home repairs, temporary rental assistance, and to replace personal items damaged in the storm.
There are also low interest loans available.
But for a neighbor that seems to deal with flooding every year, Dot’s had enough.
“Even with FEMA. They only allot you so much. People in here have fixed their places so many times. They don’t have any money anymore including myself,” she said.
You don’t have to wait for a FEMA crew to knock on your door. You can register online or over the phone.
