PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane evacuees from the Lutheran Residences in South Pasadena are still waiting to return to their apartments following Hurricane Helene.
It’s been three weeks since James Schold has been able to enter his home after storm surge seeped into the 16-story building and knocked out power.
“I met the property manager, and he informed me that we were going to be given our deposit back, and we need to find a place to live,” Schold said. “Which took me totally by surprise, because I just paid for another week at a motel, thinking that would get me by.”
Schold received a letter from Hayes Gibson Property Services explaining the lack of access to the building is “by order of the city” and “due to lack of power and water.”
“This is my home,” Schold said. “You’re telling me you’re giving me my money back and find a place to live and bye? What is that?”
This week, residents will be given a short window of time to gather their belongings.
“The elevators are down,” Schold said. “There’s 160 people with furniture up there that cannot get down. Negotiating these steps is tough.”