Tampa and surrounding Suncoast communities are no strangers to hurricanes, but Hurricane Helene brought a storm surge unlike anything seen in the last century. Jessica Muroff, CEO of United Way Suncoast, described the scale of the devastation as a “100-year storm-type surge.” It left thousands of families displaced, with 5-8 feet of water flooding homes, washing away vehicles, destroying necessities, and uprooting businesses.
“The No. 1 need right now is housing,” Muroff said. “Temporary shelter is critical, especially for those who have lost everything.” Other immediate needs are transportation and essentials like food, hygiene products, and cleaning materials. As it always does, United Way Suncoast is stepping up, partnering to provide these necessities while focusing on helping people access long-term help.
Preparedness Mitigates Chaos
The Suncoast region has been better prepared for disaster since a comprehensive disaster resilience strategy was developed in 2023. “We hate to say we’re getting good at responding to disasters, but we are,” said Muroff. As a result, staff, partners, and board members were trained on step-by-step responses to disasters—making Suncoast United Way’s response more organized.
“Having the disaster guide in place has meant everything to us,” Muroff said, noting that their experience in handling past storms, combined with this new plan, has been instrumental in a smoother response to Helene. “It’s still hard, but it feels less chaotic because we know exactly what we’re doing.” United Way Suncoast also shared this disaster strategy with other United Way organizations throughout Florida, helping to improve coordination and response.
ALICE Communities Hit the Hardest
While many families in Florida were hit hard by the storm, those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population were the most vulnerable. These families earn more than the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford necessities. In the five counties United Way Suncoast serves—DeSoto, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Sarasota—over 40% of the population lives below the ALICE threshold.
United Way Suncoast has long focused on helping ALICE families, investing over $3 million in nonprofit partnerships to address housing and eviction prevention. It’s UWS RISE Eviction Navigation program has had a 91% success rate in keeping families housed. 2022's Hurricane Ian exacerbated an already complex housing situation, with 1 in 2 families challenged to afford rent. “We were already at a capacity problem with housing, and with Helene, it's going to be even worse,” Muroff said. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, calls for help with housing are surging.
Coordinating the Response and Looking Forward
United Way Suncoast has been a bridge: bringing together nonprofits, foundations, and corporate partners to ensure a coordinated response. From distributing diapers and cleaning supplies to securing mattresses for those in need, they’ve worked hand-in-hand with partners to fill gaps and ensure that resources reach those hardest hit.
Muroff expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from their community and the broader United Way network, including donors from other regions unaffected by the storm. “We’re all linking arms, making sure we’re filling gaps,” she said. “This is what United Way does best.”
If you or a loved one need help, call 211 or visit 211.org for assistance.