In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the sun may have returned to St. Petersburg’s coastlines, but for many residents, the storm left behind more than just toppled palm fronds and scattered debris.
Modest beach homes, some passed down through generations—faced water damage, mold-stained exteriors, and battered foundations. But amid the hardship, something powerful rose: a wave of generosity, elbow grease, and neighborly love.
Contractors across the St. Pete area put down their invoices and picked up their tool belts, not for profit, but for people. Local companies like Gulfside Craft Builders, Sunbeam Renovations, and Old Bay Carpentry were among the first to donate time, materials, and labor to help rebuild what the storm tried to take.
One of the standout contributors? High Water Softwashing Co., a small but mighty team known for their attention to detail and gentle exterior treatments. After the floods receded, many homeowners found their siding, brick, and stucco darkened with mold, mildew, and saltwater stains. High Water stepped in with ladders, hoses, and hearts wide open, restoring the homes’ outer beauty so families could focus on what mattered most: getting back inside.
“We didn’t think twice,” said Morgan Davis, founder of High Water. “These are our neighbors, our friends. When the storm rolls out, we roll in.”
Other crews like Bay Haven Electric offered free electrical inspections for older beach cottages, many of which had outdated systems that took a beating in the wind and rain. Tide & Timber Flooring reinstalled water-damaged hardwood for several families at no cost, using leftover stock and salvaged planks. And Salty Shores Roofing, a local veteran-owned outfit, patched leaks and replaced shingles across nearly two dozen homes in the span of a week.
It wasn’t about profit, it was about people. In a town that knows the value of a screened porch, a creaky deck, and a warm front stoop, these homes hold memories that can’t be replaced.
As the salt air drifts through again and porches begin to fill with laughter, one thing is clear: Hurricane Helene tested this community, but it couldn’t break it. The contractors of St. Petersburg didn’t just rebuild houses. They helped rebuild home.
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