CLEARWATER, Fla. — After flash flooding from Hurricane Milton, it was the site of one of, if not the biggest water rescue operations in the history of Pinellas County. First responders rescued more than 500 people out of The Standard at 2690 Apartment Complex off Drew Street in Clearwater after six feet of flood water rushed in, damaging living spaces and threatening lives.
“It got to about 11:30 at night so I went to bed and next thing we knew it flooded over, the water went over my bed and everything,” said Laura Hoberg, who was rescued from the flood.
Nearly a week later, in the shadow of the complex still uninhabitable, Laura and other displaced residents picked through piles of donated clothing across the street. Members from the Salvation Army were serving food and hot meals.
Hoberg who lost her husband last year, lost just about everything else to Hurricane Milton and is now staying with her daughter.
Many others not in the same boat were volunteers who organized the donation site. They say some tenants have been spending nights outside on the grass.
Across the community, people have seen the urgent need for help and volunteers have donated goods, their time and trucks to help move things around.
Workers from local shelters were there to let people know there are options for a safe, free place to stay. On Tuesday, the Red Cross opened a temporary shelter for residents of the Standard at the Light of Christ Catholic Church at 2176 Marilyn Street in Clearwater.
“I got my kids out here to make a difference and help out the community right now,” said Jessica Vazquez, who stopped at the site to help clean up with her kids.
“We’re trying to make a change, give people hope and get together,” Vazquez added.
The site was forced to move off the property near Best Buy, but volunteers say the nearby Congregation Ohr Chadash at 3190 Gulf to Bay Boulevard is offering a site for people to pick up the donated goods. The Calvary Chapel Church on Drew Street is also taking in donations for families
They say they have plenty of clothes, but there is a need for baby food, diapers, powdered milk, school supplies, cleaning products, bedding and toiletries.