Temporary housing, PODs, comfort stations, shelter and other essential resources
A. Hillsborough County PODS
Hillsborough County, in conjunction with the National Guard, has opened three points of distribution (POD) throughout the county to help residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
PODs are drive through relief areas where residents can pick up water, tarps for protecting homes, and meals. The PODs allow residents to obtain these items without having to leave their vehicles.
The sites will be open 7 AM to 7 PM, for the foreseeable future. All pod sites will close between noon and 1 PM daily for a shift change and reset.
- Elev8 Fun, Citrus Park Mall, 7902 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa, FL 33625
- HCC Brandon, 10451 Nancy Watkins Dr., Tampa, FL 33619
- Gibsonton Walmart, 9205 Gibsonton Dr., Gibsonton, FL 33534
- 431 19th Avenue NE, Ruskin, FL 33570 (Former Kmart parking lot)
No IDs will be required at the PODs.
B. Comfort Stations
Comfort stations offer showers, restrooms, and washers and dryers for laundry. Hot food or boxed meals will be available at lunch and dinner times.
Sites are open daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. until further notice.
The comfort stations are located at:
Progress Village Senior Center, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619
Skyway Sports Complex & Park, 3901 George Rd., Tampa, FL 33634
Hillsborough Avenue and Hanley Road in Town N Country, 7501 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL, 33615
C. Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC)
The Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) is open to assist individuals impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. The additional MARC is also expected to be staffed with personnel from federal, state, regional partners, and non-profit agencies to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the storm events.
MARCs are located:
Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr #120, Tampa, FL 33615
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., through Friday, Oct. 18.
Florida Strawberry Festival TECO Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
D. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Programs available are:
- Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households (Deadline to apply is Dec. 11, 2024)
- Public Assistance - Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (Categories A&B)
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards
The programs provide financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricane Milton. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs, supplement disaster recovery efforts, emergency work assistance, replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and mitigation assistance. Residents who need long-term housing are encouraged to apply for individual assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.
Hillsborough County residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance if they have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, according to FEMA. However, FEMA assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.
To apply for FEMA assistance:
- Visit Disasterassistance.gov. From this page you can review the application process, apply for Individual Assistance, and check the status of your application.
- Disaster Survivor Checklist:
For application help:
- Call the FEMA Helpline, (800) 621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk, (800) 745-0243, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Read the FEMA resources fact sheet
E. Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
The Disaster Recovery Center is open to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. FEMA representatives will be in attendance to assist.
DRC is located:
Barksdale Center, 1801 N. Lincoln Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., then daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. through Tuesday, Oct. 22.
F. Cities Resources
City of Tampa Resources
Points of distribution sites (PODS), are open now to provide Tampa residents with water, ice, meals & supplies.
Temple Terrace Resources
A comfort center and point of distrubution site (POD) is now open for Temple Terrace residents.
Plant City Resources
Find post-storm information for Plant City residents.
G. Temporary Shelters Allowed on Residential Property for Those Affected by Hurricane Milton
Hillsborough County residents who have been displaced due to Hurricane Milton are allowed to place temporary shelter on their residential property. According to Florida Statutes 553.7922, temporary shelters can remain on the property for up to three years after the date of the storm's emergency declaration or until a certificate of occupancy is issued on the permanent residential structure on the property. A state of emergency was declared on Oct. 6, 2024. Temporary shelters include a recreational vehicle, trailer, or similar structure.
H. Hotel Stays
Income eligible residents of Unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City and Temple Terrace, who have been displaced due to Hurricane Milton may be eligible to receive temporary hotel assistance. For further details and eligibility requirements, please call (813) 675-3450.
I. State-Run Shelters
Florida Division of Emergency Management has an open general and special needs shelter in Hillsborough.
- General population shelter: Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa, FL 33610
- The State-run special needs shelter: 18776 SR 54 E, Lutz, FL 33558
J. Walmart Locations Offering Essential Supplies
For more details and locations
K. Feeding Tampa Bay Relief Efforts
Find emergency distribution details and locations.
L. Flooded Areas with Well Water and Septic Systems
Hillsborough County residents who utilize wells and are in doubt about their water supply should follow local or state health department drinking and bathing advisories.
Further, septic drain fields will not work until underground water has receded, so septic systems should not be used immediately after floods. Septic lines may have been broken during flooding or other storms. Contact a local plumber or septic service immediately.
For information on long-term water quality conditions in the area or information on home water treatment devices, contact the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (850) 245-4250 or email at AskEH@flhealth.gov. Residents can also reach out to the the Water Quality Association (WQA) at (630) 505-0160 for assistance. Learn about comprehensive best practices regarding safe use of wells after flooding.