In the wake of Hurricane Milton, Florida authorities are alerting residents to the potential for contractor scams as they begin the recovery process from the storm’s extensive damage.
On Thursday, the Pinellas County Consumer Protection Agency released a public advisory, stressing the importance of caution as residents face significant property repairs from both Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.
“Many areas in the county have suffered severe damage,” the advisory noted, cautioning against dishonest contractors. Officials specifically warned residents to be wary of “fly-by-night” operators who go door-to-door, request deposits, and fail to deliver proper repair services.
“Be careful when hiring someone for repairs,” the advisory urged, encouraging homeowners to thoroughly check the credentials of contractors before agreeing to any work.
Additionally, residents were reminded to report any suspicious activities to local authorities. CNN reported that officials have also advised against hiring contractors who demand upfront payments or suggest that major repairs can be done without permits. They recommend working only with licensed and insured contractors.
Authorities cautioned individuals looking to assist storm victims to conduct proper research as well. The advisory stated, “Don’t judge an organization solely by its name. Many may sound reputable but could be fraudulent.”
Florida’s consumer protection teams encourage prospective donors to request financial reports from charities to assess how much of their contribution directly supports the cause, versus administrative and fundraising costs.
Meanwhile, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport remains closed on Friday following Hurricane Milton. The airport halted operations at 4 p.m. on October 8, prior to the storm’s impact, and crews are currently evaluating conditions and starting cleanup, as mentioned on the airport’s Facebook page. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for flight status updates.
In contrast, Tampa International Airport is set to reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday after a three-day suspension of flights due to the storm. The airport is addressing challenges, including damage to six boarding bridges, according to a media release.
In Pinellas County, law enforcement has carried out multiple rescue operations following the hurricane, including one at an apartment complex where 430 residents were evacuated from flooding that reached the second-floor balconies, according to county emergency officials.
Crews are actively clearing roads, repairing infrastructure, and restoring essential services after the county faced the dual challenges of major hurricanes within two weeks, as explained by Ashley Giovannetti, the public information officer for Pinellas County Emergency Management.
“We were really hit hard, first by Helene and then by Milton,” she stated.
Hurricane Milton brought over 18 inches of rain and wind gusts surpassing 100 mph to the region. As of early Thursday, nearly 400,000 homes and businesses—about 70% of the county’s customers—were still without power, according to poweroutage.us. Many residents are also without water service.
“What we need going forward is empathy for residents,” Giovannetti said. “They have just endured two major hurricanes, and many have lost their homes and livelihoods, so now they must find new places to call home.”
County officials are working to secure temporary or permanent housing for those currently in shelters, but Giovannetti emphasized that “it’s going to take time.”
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