Greater Tampa Bay residents have a chance to shore up their hurricane readiness this fall. Hurricane Help Florida and StormResQ are hosting a free community preparedness event on Thursday, September 24, at the Bob Buckhorn River Center in Tampa, running from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Organizers plan to hand out 500 resident hurricane-prep kits and 250 pet-prep kits at no cost, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with disaster-recovery organizations, nonprofit partners, volunteer groups, and local contractors focused on long-term community resilience. John Bennett, Chief of Staff for the City of Tampa, is slated to be on hand as well.
Those who want to arrive early — between noon and 2:00 p.m. — can do so by making a $45 donation. That contribution includes a catered lunch from SaltBlock Hospitality and directly supports ongoing rebuilding efforts for families still recovering from the 2024 hurricane season, which hit the region hard two years ago.
The inaugural event is billed as a moment to reflect on that difficult chapter while looking ahead. Many Tampa Bay households continue living in storm-damaged homes, making community-level preparation and awareness efforts especially timely. Pre-registration is required to attend.
Full details and registration are available through the official "Remember. Rebuild. Prepare." website. This story was originally reported by WiLD 94.1.
