TAMPA, Fla. — The Pincrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighborhoods that were not FEMA-designated flood zones but still experienced severe flood damage after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Many homeowners in that area do not have flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance, which some say they have yet to receive.

What You Need To Know

  • The Pincrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighbourhoods that were not FEMA-designated flood zones but still experienced severe flood damage after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

  • Many homeowners in that area do not have flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance, which some say they have yet to receive

  • Homeowner Codie Parkinson was visited for the first time by a FEMA inspector four months after Milton

  • More than 1,300 FEMA staff are still on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby

Codie Parkinson has already spent over $3,000 of her own money to repair her home.

“We had two rain events within 9 days, and sewage water was in the pool twice,” said Parkinson.

She still has debris and fallen trees in her backyard.

“It’s been here since Milton,” she added.

She surveyed the damage alongside a FEMA inspector recently for the first time.

“I’m surprised they even showed up,” said Parkinson.

The call from FEMA caught her off guard, especially since it came more than four months after the last storms wreaked havoc on this community.

“D.C. was calling, so I thought it was a survey," said Parkinson. “He (the caller) says he didn’t know what took them so long.“

According to FEMA, victims should be contacted by a FEMA inspector within 10 days of applying for assistance.

“I’m dealing with this carpet, and it needs to come up,” said Parkinson.

While she’s done some repairs, she says there is still plenty of work to be done.

“Don’t have the money to do the screens and don’t have the money to get this tree out my yard,” she said.

In addition, she claims to have lost over $1,000 in groceries. The expenses continue to add up.

“The water was this far from coming into my house. The little fridge and freezer, I don’t know how long they are going to last,” she added.

She has claims with Hillsborough County and FEMA. While she doesn’t expect these agencies to make her whole, she’s hoping for some assistance in time for the next storm season.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency shared the following statement with Spectrum News which says in part:

"There are number of factors that can lead to a delayed FEMA visit and it would be difficult to identify the reason without knowing more about the individual survivor’s case. Each survivor’s case is unique and the FEMA programs they may be eligible for vary on a case-by-case basis. FEMA continues to support the State of Florida and local communities from the 2024 hurricanes. More than 1,300 FEMA staff are still on the ground in Florida to help survivors recover from Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby. Those staff continue to process applications, receive and manage appeals, conduct inspections and assist applicants and local officials with questions and information about recovery programs.”