We went through the unimaginable – two hurricanes in two weeks – and as we work to rebuild, I want to say how proud I am of the way the people of Pinellas County have come together to survive and begin to recover. As I worked throughout the county in the immediate aftermath of both storms, I saw neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers stepping up. You opened your homes to friends in evacuation zones, brought food and water to people in need, and cleared debris from the yards of the elderly.

I’m also proud of the hard work that all members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) did before, during, and after the hurricanes. As the storms approached, we prepared equipment and notified people in evacuation zones. We responded to people’s calls for help as long as we could as the winds grew fiercer, and as soon as the storm passed our deputies jumped into action, rescuing people from flooded homes, clearing trees from roads, and helping traffic flow despite broken traffic signals. Civilian and sworn members alike performed essential tasks like keeping the jail running smoothly and safely, and protecting stored property and evidence. The Public Relations Bureau stayed on top of messaging, putting out valuable, potentially life saving information even in the middle of the hurricanes.

Tragically, lives were lost in both of the storms. In most cases those deaths were preventable. People drowned, were electrocuted, or had medical emergencies when first responders couldn’t come to help them – all of which could have been avoided if they had evacuated. While any storm can bring the unexpected in the form of tornadoes, falling trees, or unanticipated flooding, you can mitigate the risk by evacuating when the order comes out.

After the storms, closures helped keep people safer, giving officials time to assess the damage. After Helene passed, we kept the barrier islands shut for a few days. After Milton ravaged Pinellas, the entire county was closed for a while. Many roads were impassible because of fallen trees, traffic lights were out at many major intersections, and more than half of the county was without power. Bridges were closed, and deputies blocked land access to Pinellas until crews had a chance to assess the major hazards. Access resumed by midday, but the area was full of hazards for a long time afterward.

For all the generosity and public-spiritedness of so many people in the county, there are plenty of people who want to take advantage of our disaster. We increased patrol to combat looters. Scammers also flocked to the area, posing as contractors or FEMA or insurance agents. Don’t let yourself be scammed – don’t make hasty decisions, don’t pay upfront, or pay by non-traditional means like Venmo, gift cards, or crypto, don’t give out your personal information, and be wary of any offer that seems too good to be true.

Pinellas County is strong, we are resilient, and we will emerge stronger and safer than ever.