TAMPA, Fla. — While residents in the Florida Panhandle prepare for Hurricane Isaias this weekend, thousands of homeowners in the Tampa Bay area are still working to recover from Hurricane Milton two years after it hit.
Milton made landfall in 2024, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, creating a one-two punch of storms that caused widespread damage and power outages across the region.
In Hillsborough County, officials said the recovery process is far from over. The county has $211 million in storm recovery funds available for homeowners, and work is now getting underway to distribute that money to those who need it most.
The county’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow Program is helping homeowners repair storm-damaged homes or receive reimbursement for repairs they already completed. So far, the program has received about 1,800 applications.
Monica Peguero, case management director for Rebuilding for Tomorrow, said applications are still coming in steadily.
“Are you surprised by the number still coming in? Yeah, we are definitely surprised,” Peguero said. “We’re seeing anywhere from 12 to 14 a day as a minimum.”
Peguero is working with a staff of 17 full-time county employees assigned to the program. She said the process can be complex for homeowners because there are income requirements, documents to submit and specific rules for how storm recovery funds can be used.
“It’s all depending on time frames for each applicant. It does vary,” Peguero said. “For reimbursement would be up to six months, and then a full reconstruction or repairs can be up to a year.”
Depending on the type of damage and the repairs needed, the program can provide $10,000-$50,000 in assistance.
Hillsborough County also hosts monthly pop-up events to help homeowners apply. The Rebuilding for Tomorrow office on East Hillsborough Avenue is open full time Monday through Friday. Homeowners can also start an application online or by phone.
“We have a contact center that they can call and speak to an agent,” Peguero said. “They can help them ask questions, answer questions or start an application over the phone.”
The phone number for Rebuilding for Tomorrow assistance in Hillsborough County is 813-540-7767. Those seeking more information or to fill out an application can go to the program’s website.
County officials said the storm assistance program will likely remain open for years as they work to distribute the recovery funds.
The program prioritizes households making less than 80% of the area median income, an amount set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development based on where a person lives. Households making up to 120% of the area median income may also qualify.
The amount each household receives depends on the type of damage and the claim filed.