After Hurricane Helene brought historic amounts of storm surge to West Central Florida, leaders of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg are assessing how employees, school families, and community members are managing the aftermath. Diocesan leaders are surveying schools, parish properties, and rectories to see what damage has occurred and what assistance is needed. We have learned that the winds have destroyed tents at Tampa Hope, and Pinellas Hope has experienced damage, flooding and is without power.
Along with coastal and bayside flooding, some residents in Saint Petersburg have lost access to water and drainage/sewer systems because the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant was forced to shut down due to the storm.
The Diocesan Hurricane Task Force has been in constant communication in the days leading up to and after the storm. For the safety of all, Bishop Gregory Parkes decided to close all Catholic schools and Early Childhood Centers in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Hernando, and Pinellas counties on September 26th and 27th.
Bishop Parkes urged prayer for the safety of everyone in the storm’s path and he posted a prayer on his social media accounts (@BishopParkes) prior to the storm.
The Diocese of Saint Petersburg has a long history of assisting in recovery efforts following a hurricane or other natural disaster. The diocesan Disaster Relief Fund is a resource that provides funds for rebuilding and relief efforts. A donation will be made for Hurricane Helene relief.
If you would like to help your neighbors who have found themselves in desperate need due to unforeseen, and often tragic circumstances, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to make a gift to assist those in need. Click here to donate.
Since 2017, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg has donated nearly $2 million for disaster relief thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, as outlined below:
- $100,000 to help those impacted by Hurricane Idalia (2023)
- $100,000 for Lanai fire relief in Maui in the Archdiocese of Honolulu (2023)
- $250,000 for Hurricane Ian relief in the Diocese of Venice (2022)
- $100,000 for tornado relief in the Diocese of Owensboro (2021)
- $100,000 for Hurricane Ida Relief in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana (2021)
- $75,000 for Hurricane Grace Relief in the Dioceses of Jeremie, Les Cayes and Hinche, Haiti (2021)
- $50,000 for Hurricane Laura Relief in the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana (2020)
- $50,000 for Hurricane Laura Relief in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas (2020)
- $100,000 for COVID-19 Relief in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (2019)
- $250,000 for Hurricane Dorian Relief in the Archdiocese of Nassau, Bahamas (2019)
- $300,000 for Hurricane Michael Relief in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee (2018)
- $155,000 for Hurricane Harvey Relief in Texas (2017)
- $200,000 for Hurricane Maria Relief in Puerto Rico (2017)
- $165,000 for Hurricane Irma Relief (2017)
