Florida Hotels Hosting Hurricane Idalia Relief Events
It’s been one week since Hurricane Idalia hit Florida as a category four storm. Most of the gulf coast experienced the storms winds and rains. Many homes and businesses on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and all over Southwest Florida that are still recovering from Hurricane Ian got flooded yet again. However, folks in the so-called Big Bend area of the state got the brunt of the storm. Efforts are ongoing to help those who are suffering. Five Florida hotels are hosting Hurricane Idalia relief efforts this week including one in downtown Fort Myers.
The fund raising effort is called “Raising the Roof for Hurricane Idalia Relief” and it takes place this Thursday, Sep. 7. Here are the hotels that are participating: EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge (Epicurean Hotel in Tampa); Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar (Fenway Hotel in Dunedin); Vantage Rooftop Bar (The Karol Hotel in St. Pete/Clearwater); Skybox Rooftop Bar (Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel); and Beacon Social Drinkery (Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers.)
Each of these hotels have popular rooftop bars. Although each location is throwing its own unique event, all will be donating a percentage sales from the night to the American Red Cross Hurricane Idalia Fund to support communities impacted by the storm.
Southwest Floridians know this scene all too well. Here is information to help Hurricane Idalia victims.
How the donations work for Hurricane Idalia relief events this week
- Epicurean Hotel (EDGE): 5 to 10 p.m. (100% proceeds from the night)
- Fenway Hotel (Hi-Fi): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
- The Karol Hotel (Vantage): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
- Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel (Skybox): 4 to 10 p.m. (100% proceeds from the night)
- Luminary Hotel & Co. (Beacon Social Drinkery): 4 to 10 p.m. (50% proceeds from the night)
Pass on the info to friends and family who live in these areas so they can participate as well. In the meantime, make sure you are prepared for the next storm. Click here for our free Hurricane Guide. It has lots of valuable information.
First Look Of Florida Flooding From Hurricane Idalia
Cedar Key
The first floor of that hotel or condo building is ruined. The line of debris will make it easy to assess the surge.
Cedar Key
Another angle from the line of debris. When this picture was taken this morning you can still see how high the water is, and that it’s still coming in.
Cedar Key
A lot of branches and leaves on the ground, but the trees stayed up. A lot of clean up to do.
Cedar Key
This cottage is completely flooded. We’re going to see a lot more of this as the storm passes and more pictures are posted.
Cedar Key
Another angle from that yellow cottage. The water is over the fence.
Tarpon Springs
In an aerial view, a fire is seen as flood waters inundate the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
This is all too common with fires erupting in flooded neighborhoods. We saw it here in Southwest Florida with Ian.
Tarpon Springs
Makatla Ritchter (L) and her mother, Keiphra Line wade through flood waters after having to evacuate their home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
We knew there was going to be surge. These two are lucky to get out with their lives.
Tarpon Springs
Cars sit in flood waters from Hurricane Idalia after it passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
This is something we’ll need to watch for in the coming months. These used cars coming back on the market after being flooded. Just something to be aware of.
Tarpon Springs
A person rides a kayak through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
You know this guy had no where to be. He’s doing this for the ‘Gram.
Tarpon Springs
A truck passes through flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
See this too much. “I have a truck, I’ll be fine.” I don’t see a snorkel on that truck, you may have just ruined your ride.
Tarpon Springs
Steve Odom stands on the porch of his home that is surrounded by flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Not much else you can do.
Tarpon Springs
People look out at the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding their apartment complex on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
With the first floor flooded, all you can do is watch from the railing. There’s a lot of cleanup to do.
