Treasure Island makes decision that will speed up post-hurricane rebuilds

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Two months after Hurricane Helene brought devastating storm surge to Treasure Island, residents are still reeling. The hurricane, followed by Hurricane Milton, left many homeowners stranded in limbo with damaged homes, and a lack of progress on rebuilding efforts.

At a heated meeting Wednesday night, residents made their voices heard, demanding action from the city’s new leadership.

"People want to get back in their homes," said Treasure Island resident Rich Libero. "Ultimately, we’re looking for the government to be an advocate for us and help us navigate these challenges."

READ: Largo homeowners want city to take accountability for creek overflow, flooded homes

Many homeowners have faced long delays in obtaining necessary permits to repair their properties. Chris Clark, another resident, shared his frustration: "I turned in my permit on Halloween, and I still have no permit, no real-time frame on when I’ll get it."

In response to the mounting pressure, the new mayor of Treasure Island, John Doctor, who took office on October 31, has made efforts to speed up recovery. One of the key decisions was to move forward with permitting without waiting for the county’s substantial damage assessments.

"This is simpler, because you don’t have to wait for an assessment or gather additional information," Doctor said. "We know it's been tough, and people’s frustration has been building."

Many residents just hope the decision sticks.

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"Right now, it's just all permits. That's the biggest thing that we need to do," Clark said. "I know people that live in Clearwater that are already moving back into their homes. I couldn't have any family here for Christmas. We should be much further along than we are."

For more information, visit mytreasureisland.org.

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