Moving Forward from Hurricanes Helene and Milton

To our industry friends

We are genuinely grateful for your thoughts and prayers during the past two weeks as Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast. We are humbled by how many of you reached out to check on us. Everyone in TPG’s Tampa office came through both storms with minor damage, although the losses around us have been significant from Helene’s record storm surge and then the tremendous wind and rain from Milton.

The State of Florida’s preparedness and response to two back-to-back hurricanes has been nothing short of exceptional. State government was well prepared and the reaction to dire situations has been focused and swift. Roads and bridges have been repaired or fully rebuilt in hours rather than months, millions of gallons of gasoline were distributed within hours following landfall, and over 40,000 linemen have been working 16-hour shifts to quickly restore power to major urban areas. And through it all, Florida continues, even today, to send personnel and resources to assist our neighbors to the north in Georgia and North Carolina!

Unfortunately, many, many local friends and acquaintances, as well as hundreds of hospitality industry employees throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast, have been significantly impacted by the storms. Numerous businesses and a great many hotels have been devastated. Recovery will take weeks and months, and some properties may never reopen.

Many of you continue to ask how you can help. We encourage you to make financial contributions, just as we have, through the Florida Disaster Fund, managed by Volunteer Florida. The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s private fund, established to assist individuals and small businesses as they recover during times of disaster. One hundred percent of all contributions are used to help those who are impacted get back on their feet, and distributions are made as grant awards, not loans.

Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund may be made through the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN# 01-0973168), and are tax deductible. Funds given at this time will be utilized to help those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. You may make a donation by going to: volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf.

To our neighbors impacted by the storms, please know that we’re here for you. Please reach out to us if you need assistance. To our good friends, thank you again for your calls and messages. They have been truly appreciated.