TAMPA, Fla. — The number of people without power in the Tampa Bay area is now widespread due to Hurricane Helene, and many say they have been without power for hours.

Lauren Ingignoli is in the process of moving her family to a friend's home after their power went out Thursday afternoon.

She says this has been a constant struggle for residents on Armenia Avenue during a storm.

On time she says it took a week for power to be restored.

"It's honestly really an inconvenience," said Ingignoli. "I mean, every time we have even, like, a tropical storm, it's. It's like, out for, like, a couple hours. So I think this is just a really bad area."

For residents without power, emergency officials encourage it to be reported and to keep refrigerators closed, as well as using cell phones only in the event of an emergency.