HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Property Appraisers Office announced some tax relief for victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton, saying it will bring some alleviation as people recover.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hillsborough County Property Appraisers Office announced some tax relief for victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton, saying it will bring some alleviation as people recover

  • There are several other benefits being offered and can be viewed on the property appraiser’s office website

  •  Property tax refund applications are due on March 1

It’s not hard to find debris on lawns across Hillsborough County. Countless homes are damaged by wind or flood waters.

In one neighborhood, Jerome Armstead walks through his dream home that he moved into less than 3 years ago. He moved from Ohio.

“When you bust your behind to build something — this was my dream,” Armstead said.

More than three feet of water came into Armstead’s home during Hurricane Helene. He was out of town at the time and watched as the first floor of his home was filled with water. When he arrived home, nothing on the first floor survived. Now, that area is an empty shell, but the mold is now traveling to the second floor.

“Look at the mold,” Armstead said. “This is the ceiling on the first floor — stress cracks — none of this was here.”

He has been living out of an Airbnb since the storm and recently purchased a trailer he and his wife will live in until his home is fixed. However, he says he is facing issues with his insurance company.

He is spending hours on the phone and trying to get things covered. He does have flood insurance, but says this experience has been beyond stressful.

“We’re doing all the things we’re supposed to do, and then you invest that money and can’t get the things covered you want,” Armstead said.

Armstead says he estimates his damage to be around a quarter million dollars. While he is dealing with these issues, Hillsborough County is offering some kind of relief for people like Armstead. The county’s property appraiser’s office is offering tax relief, including delaying property tax notices being sent out until Nov. 25, and homeowners with properties deemed uninhabitable for more than 30 days may be eligible for a partial property tax refund.

“I think it’s a good thing. They are doing what they can,” Armstead said.

The property tax refund applications are due on March 1. There are several other benefits being offered and can be viewed on the property appraiser’s office website, by emailing StormDamage@hcpafl.org, or by calling the property damage hotline at 813-272-6332.