TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — On Sunset Beach in Treasure Island, a contractor is working to remove tons of sand washed onto streets and into homes by Hurricane Helene.
The National Guard is going door to door in the neighborhood, handing out food and water. Residents are working hard to clean up their homes.
For some, there is a new problem. One that makes their future in Sunset Beach uncertain.
Treasure Island has tagged many homes in the area that have substantial damage.
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Kevin McAndrew, the Director of Building and Development Review Services, said homes with more than 49% damage will have to be rebuilt to new county and FEMA standards.
“That will generally mean that a home will have to be elevated or it would have to be demolished and rebuilt,” McAndrew said.
However, he said the county goal is to keep people in their homes.
“If a home is substantially damaged, that does not mean that a resident or a family has to be removed, or has to leave their home,” McAndrew said.