The Pinellas County Consumer Protection agency issued a public advisory on Thursday, emphasizing the need for vigilance as residents face the daunting task of repairing severe property damage caused by back-to-back storms, including Hurricane Helene.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Florida officials are sounding the alarm about potential contractor scams targeting residents trying to recover from the storm's devastating effects.
The Pinellas County Consumer Protection agency issued a public advisory on Thursday, emphasizing the need for vigilance as residents face the daunting task of repairing severe property damage caused by back-to-back storms, including Hurricane Helene.
“Many areas in the county have incurred severe property damage,” the advisory stated, highlighting the risks posed by unscrupulous contractors. Officials warned residents to be on the lookout for "fly-by-night" operators who solicit work door-to-door, take deposits, and provide little or no actual repair services.
“Be cautious when hiring someone to make repairs,” the advisory continued, urged homeowners to thoroughly vet contractors before engaging their services.
The advisory also reminded residents to report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
CNN reports that authorities have advised residents to be cautious of contractors requesting advance payments for services or claiming that extensive repairs do not require permits.
They recommend working exclusively with licensed and insured contractors.
Officials also cautioned those looking to assist storm victims to conduct thorough research.
The Pinellas County advisory stated, “Do not judge an organization solely by its name. Many organizations may have names that sound reputable but could be fraudulent.”
Florida consumer protection teams suggest prospective donors request a copy of the charity’s financial report to determine how much of their contribution is allocated to the cause versus administrative and fundraising expenses.
Meanwhile, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport will remain closed on Friday due to Hurricane Milton.
The airport suspended operations at 4 p.m. on October 8, prior to the storm’s landfall, and crews are now assessing conditions and beginning cleanup efforts, as noted on the airport's Facebook page.
Passengers are advised to check directly with airlines for flight status, according to the airport's website.
About an hour north, Tampa International Airport plans to reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday after a three-day flight suspension due to the storm.
The airport is currently addressing several challenges, including damage to six boarding bridges, as stated in a media release.
In Pinellas County, law enforcement conducted multiple rescue missions following Hurricane Milton, including a response to an apartment complex where 430 residents were rescued from flooding that had reached the second-floor balconies, according to a county emergency management official.
Crews are actively working to clear roads, repair infrastructure, and restore essential services after the county experienced a “one-two punch” of back-to-back major hurricanes within less than two weeks, said Ashley Giovannetti, the public information officer for Pinellas County Emergency Management.
“We were really hit hard, first by Helene and then by Milton,” she added.
Hurricane Milton brought over 18 inches of rainfall and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph to Pinellas County. As of early Thursday morning, nearly 400,000 homes and businesses—about 70% of the county's customers—remain without power, according to poweroutage.us. Many residents are also still lacking water service.
“What we need going forward is empathy for residents,” Giovannetti said. “They have just endured two major hurricanes, and many have lost their homes and livelihoods, so now they must find new places to call home.”
County officials are working on finding temporary or permanent housing for residents currently in shelters, but Giovannetti emphasized that “it’s going to take time.”