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'We're all one community': Families escape hurricane horrors on Halloween

Neighborhoods in hard-hit parts of northeast St. Pete banded together to celebrate festivities.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Despite ongoing rebuilding after back-to-back hurricanes, it didn't stop families from celebrating Halloween traditions.

Some neighborhoods shifted their trick-or-treat plans because of debris in need of pick-up after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. At Denver Park, hard-hit communities like Shore Acres and Riviera Bay banded together to celebrate the holiday.

"This is an event that we needed," said Kevin Batdorf, Shore Acres Civic Association president. "We're all one community. This is what should happen even without a hurricane."

What should have been the spookiest day of the year turned out to be the most relieving to date.

Melissa Wilkes of Tanglewood and her family attended the event. Like other families who attended, their home also flooded. 

"I think this is amazing. There's so much going on in this neighborhood. They've taken such an impact from the storms," Wilkes said. 

Fortunately, trick-or-treating still went on at the park. Parts of the neighborhood were also clear of debris and allowed children to trick-or-treat safely. 

"It's a nice relief from everything we've been dealing with," said Vanessa Pugliese, president of Riviera Bay Civic Association.

Some families were spared from recent storms like parents Brett and Chelsea Mosley. However, they've flooded twice before.

Knowing the struggles of flooding firsthand, they said it gave them an opportunity to help others.

"We're just so happy that the neighborhood got this together for all the kids that live here. It's such a great community here," said Chelsea Mosley.

The flooding may have long-term effects on families, but those rebuilding said they're glad they have the community's back.

"There's no other community in St. Pete compared to Shore Acres," said Chelsea Mosley. 

Both the city of St. Pete and Tampa have pledged to clear all debris within 90 days. 

At last check, both cities have collected nearly 800,000 cubic yards of debris, according to information provided on map databases. 

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