OLDSMAR, Fla. — Dozens of homes in Oldsmar are still trying to recover from the storm surge from Hurricane Helene.
Some people are still without power or internet and many are in desperate need of cleaning supplies and storage containers to salvage what’s left.
With the water now gone, the cleanup is underway, but there’s still so much work to do, according to Michelle Baldwin, chairperson of Oldsmar Cares.
“People have lost everything,” Baldwin said. “They’ve got water marks halfway up the side of their homes, their cars.”
Oldsmar Cares has been around since 1997.
Following Helene, the organization has been receiving calls left and right on how people can help.
“It’s been an outpouring of affection and love and support we got,” Baldwin said. “Hundreds of items donated daily.”
In the time spent with the organization on Tuesday, several boxes and bags of clothes, food and cleaning supplies showed up for folks who need it, which isn’t a surprise to Baldwin.
“Oldsmar is a small but mighty community,” she said.
Right now, the top things they need are cleaning supplies, children’s clothing and storage boxes for people looking to salvage their items and clean any dirt or wet spots in their homes.
As a result, they’re staying open later on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for people to grab what they need and donate whatever they can.
“We’re all pulling together our resources and coordinating everything so that we have the least slowed down for our community,” Baldwin said.
Residents got a notice in the mail from the city saying they’ve partnered with a debris collection and removal company but, according to the notice, there isn’t a solidified time when those items will be picked up.