SHORE ACRES, Fla. (WFLA) — As families gather for the holidays, there are still communities in Tampa Bay that are struggling to rebuild after the hurricanes.
Many residents in Shore Acres couldn’t celebrate Christmas in their own homes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through the area.
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Several families in that part of Pinellas County are surrounded by canals and water, which put them at high risk and caused their homes to flood during Hurricane Helene.
News Channel 8 spoke to concerned neighbors who are demanding answers and action from state lawmakers at the capitol.
“I don’t think anybody benefits if everybody decides to just leave Shore Acres,” Matt Thron said.
Resident Matt Thron has been a staple in the community ever since Helene —
hosting dinner gatherings to give his neighbors a place to celebrate the holidays and lean on each other.
“It just became a central spot for everybody to gather and connect and build the community back together,” Thron said.