Public Health & Safety
Today, the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced funding to 95 local businesses throughout the Tampa Bay and West Central Florida regions impacted by the most recent hurricane season as part of the Glazer Family Small Business Fund. Following Hurricane Helene, the Glazer family donated $1 million to support local relief efforts. The family then pledged an additional $1 million on October 17 to recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton, which serves as the funding source for The Glazer Family Small Business Fund. Click here to see the recipients.
Our Chamber’s commitment to serving our members includes moments when public safety is at risk. The annual Hurricane Season, spanning June 1 – November 31, is part of life here in the Tampa Bay region. Whether you are new to the region, a longtime resident or a native, everyone needs a hurricane preparedness plan. Here are some resources for your reference.
Hurricane & Natural Disaster Resources
Before the Storm
- Florida Division of Emergency Management – (850) 815-4000 or Dial 711 (TDD/TTY)
- Make a Family Plan
- Planning for Businesses
- Know Your Zone – Evacuation Zones
- Hurricane Preparedness Plan - Supply Kit
- Red Cross Shelter Locator
- State of Florida Shelter Locator by County
- Hillsborough County Emergency Management
- Pinellas County Emergency Management
- Pasco County Emergency Management
- Pasco County Emergency Notification System
- Sarasota County Hurricane Preparedness
- Manatee County Emergency Management
Durring the Storm
- Florida Emergency Information Toll-Free Line: (800) 342-3557
- National Weather Service
- TECO Power Outages Map
- Duke Energy Outages Map
Recovery
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- To report fallen trees: (813) 274-3101
- To report a power outage to TECO: (813) 588-1010
- To report price gouging in Florida: (866) 966-7226
- Wastewater Emergency Repair: (813) 247-3451
- City of Tampa Solid Waste Call Center at 813-274-8811
- Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211
- Free Disaster Cleanup: Crisis Cleanup has created a Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386.
- Disasterassistance.gov
- Feeding Tampa Bay
- Tampa Bay Water Wise Rebate Program: Learn More
Business Support
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
- Small Business Administration
- SBA Hillsborough County - Disaster Recovery
- Florida Commerce Small Business Damage Assessment Survey
- Florida Small Business Development Center
- Disaster Assistance & Emergency Relief for Businesses and Individuals – Resources to help taxpayers and businesses recover from the impact of a disaster.
- IRS: Preparing for a Disaster – Find tips for individuals and businesses on preparing for a disaster.
- IRS/Small Businesses: Disaster Assistance & Emergency Relief
- IRS: Tax Relief in Disaster Situations – Find information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by disaster situations.
How You Can Help
- Florida Disaster Fund: It's the state of Florida's official private fund to assist residents. Click here to offer cash donations.
- American Red Cross: In addition to offering assistance, it takes cash gifts that will be used to help those impacted by the storm. You can give here.
- Salvation Army: It accepts cash donations, along with clothing, furniture, and other items. Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825) to arrange a pick-up, or click here.
- United Way Suncoast: It has set up a page with resources for receiving assistance, along with ways you can volunteer your time as well as donate. Details are here.
- OneBlood: It says there's an urgent need for blood following Helene. Click here for information on how to donate.
- Feeding Tampa Bay: It has set up a page to offer food assistance for those impacted by Helene. You can donate here.
- Metropolitan Ministries: It offers assistance, including food and shelter, for the Tampa Bay area's homeless population. You can give financially here.
Our Partner level Chamber Member Company, WFTS TV ABC Action News, produced this Stormwatch 2024 Hurricane Special to help Tampa Bay area residents prepare for hurricane preparedness. “When should I evacuate? What supplies should I have in my hurricane kit? How much drinking water should I have in my supply kit? Am in a flood zone? How do I know my insurance will cover wind damage or flood damage in my home?” – these are just a few of the basics Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips and the team has been answering for residents during decades of hurricane coverage in our region. Hurricane Season spans June 1 – November 31. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted above average activity during the 2024 season. The Tampa Bay Chamber is proud to partner with WFTS TV to help members safeguard their homes, businesses and their families.
With Tampa Bay’s growing bilingual and Spanish speaking community in mind, we’ve partnered with Solmart Media Group’s Spanish language radio stations to connect you with resources. During an emergency situation, Solmart radio stations will broadcast in Spanish storm and hurricane alerts and warnings, and updates post-storm. In this audio message, Mercedes Soler, Solmart President, explains what kind of a hurricane season is predicted by experts at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the basics of any hurricane preparedness plan. Solmart radio stations include: WTWD-910AM,WTWD-102.1FM, WZSP-FM, WZSP-FMHD1, WZSP-FMHD2, WTMY-FM 99.1, WTMY-AM 1280
Public Health & COVID-19
Public health concerns are also tracked by our Chamber, as part of our commitment to provide members with resources to help. Since 2020, the Tampa Bay Chamber has established a standard of monitoring the progression of public health concerns in the Tampa Bay region, including flu season, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), etc.
Our programming and events are assessed on a regular basis to determine if events need to be cancelled, postponed, or held virtually. Any changes related to public health concerns will continue to be announced/posted on the event page of our website and in email communication with registered attendees. We encourage everyone to stay informed and offer up the following resources to help.
Federal Government Information and Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CARES Act Recovery Check FAQ
- Department of Labor
- IRS Tax Resources
- Paycheck Protection
- Small Business Administration – Disaster Loan Assistance
- Traveler's Health Website
- Treasury Delays Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines
- Veterans Affairs Medical Resources
Florida Government Information and Resources
- Business Damage Assessment Survey
- Emergency Order about Licences and Permits
- Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Reemployment Assistance Application Guide
- Florida Department of Health
- Florida Disaster Loans – Small Business Bridge Loans
- Florida Disaster Resources for Businesses
- Florida Economy During Coronavirus (video)
- Florida Emergency Orders
- Florida Small Business Development Center
- Florida Short Time Compensation Program for Employers
- Florida Unemployment Benefits
- Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-91 FAQ
- Re-Open Florida Recommendations
- U.S. Senator Rick Scott COVID-19 FAQ
Bay area Government Information and Resources
- City of Tampa
- City of Tampa Safer at Home Guidance
- COVID-19 Screening
- Hillsborough County Safer at Home Guidance
- Hillsborough County Bar Association – Legal Resource
- Manatee County Information
- Pasco County Information
- Pinellas County Safer at Home Guidance
- Polk County Information
Bay area Health Care Provider Resources
Chamber Resources (including MOU Chambers and US Chamber)
- Florida Chamber of Commerce
- Florida Chamber Scorecard
- Florida Chamber Safety Council
- Hillsborough Back to Business Toolkit
- How Your Business Can Succeed in Difficult Times – Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce & Entravision
- Tampa Bay Chamber Restaurant Members
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist (Paycheck Protection Program)
- Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus
- Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
- Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
- Resources and Guidelines for Business
- Save Small Business Fund
- Small Business Guide on Emergency Loans
- Workplace Tips for Employees
Employment Information and Resources
- Career Source Tampa Bay
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Small Business Guidance on Responding to Coronavirus
- TampaBay-Job-Links
Non-Profit Information and Resources
- Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Nonprofit Needs List
- Metropolitan Ministries Financial Assistance
- Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
- United Way Suncoast Coronavirus Assistance Center