South Tampa Chamber Updates | Post-Storm Business Resources | Damage Assessment Survey
Dear Valued Members,
We hope this message finds you safe and dry!
We have complied some post-storm resources to assist you and your business.
The chamber office will resume normal operating hours tomorrow, Thursday, August 31, 9am-4pm. Chamber Cheers will also take place as scheduled. Please note this event is sold out and pre-registration is required.
Note, the South Tampa Chamber will be closed Friday, September 1-Monday, September 4 for the Labor Day Holiday.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
The State of Florida opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday, August 30. Please take a moment to complete the survey. Completion of the survey by as many business owners as possible helps to ensure the proper services will be available for recovery efforts.
TAKE THE SURVEY @ https://floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments
Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County disaster recovery specialists are available to provide confidential, no-cost consulting to help affected businesses prepare disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. Florida SBDC disaster specialists work alongside SBA business loan specialists to provide information about resources available and assist businesses in completing state and federal disaster loan applications.
The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County can be reached at HCFLGov.net/FSBDC or (813) 277-1393, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tampa Department of Solid Waste Resumes Service Collection Following Hurricane Idalia
The City of Tampa Department of Solid Waste will resume collection services following Hurricane Idalia.
Residential Collection:
- Garbage collection will resume on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- Yard Waste and Storm-related vegetative debris collection will begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
- SWEEP collection is delayed until further notice. A make-up date for residents in the affected SWEEP zones will be announced through Tampa.gov/solidwaste website and the Tampa Trash and Recycling App.
Commercial Collection:
- Commercial collection will resume on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- Downtown Tampa commercial (C2S) collection will resume on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Tampa Electric Power Restoration Update
Tampa Electric is restoring power today for the customers affected by Hurricane Idalia. Hurricane Idalia brought rain and wind to Tampa Electric’s West Central Florida territory overnight, which resulted in scattered power outages. Tampa Electric restored power throughout the storm and expects to complete restoration today. At this time, the storm knocked out power to about 35,000 customers total, with most restored by daybreak. The remnants of the storm continue to impact our area, and our line crews continue to restore power as needed.
“The weather impact was not as severe as anticipated, and our crews were able to work through the night to restore customers during the storm,” said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “We are thankful this storm had only minimal impact on our customers.”
Ahead of the storm, Tampa Electric secured about 3,000 workers from other utilities, including line crews, tree trimmers and damage assessors. Tampa Electric released most of those crews early today to help other utilities in harder-hit areas. In areas with flooding, restoration may be delayed until water recedes.
Tampa Electric offers customers several ways to report and monitor power outages:
- Log into your online account at TecoAccount.com to report the outage with one click.
- Visit TampaElectric.com/Outage to report your outage and get restoration status.
- Text OUT to 27079. Text UPDATE or STATUS for updates on your reported outage.
- Call 1-877-588-1010, Tampa Electric’s dedicated toll-free automated power outage phone system.