TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several homeowners in Tampa Bay are in limbo as they wait for inspectors to determine how damaged their homes are from Helene and Milton.
Some homeowners say their efforts to rebuild are at a standstill while they wait for building officials to determine the extent of the damage to their homes.
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The guidelines are part of FEMA’s 50% rule, which is a complex regulation that can cost homeowners a small fortune.
Essentially, those who have substantial damage following a hurricane might not be allowed to just do simple repairs.
They may be forced to tear down their home, and completely rebuild at a higher elevation.
FEMA’s rule is triggered when the cost of repairs exceeds 50% of the market value of a home.
If that’s the case, building officials from local municipalities will issue a substantial damage determination letter.
“The letter never came to us,” said Steve Champan, a Pasco County resident. “We still haven’t received it, but we did find the website that you can go to, and we pulled it up on the website. The number they came up with for the damage is outrageous.”