PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Residents of a troubled mobile home park in Pinellas County continue to plead for help after claiming they have been neglected by the government and county for years.
“We may be poor and live here, but we are also human,” explained local resident Erin Roth.
Many residents of the Twin City Mobile Home Community feel hopeless.
“Last year we went through hell with the water inside,” Roth added.
Her neighbor James Lawson has called his home the Yellow Submarine for ten years.
“Ian was next. The water was up to the hood of the truck and destroyed my Durango. Then Idalia… the water was up to my chin and I’m 6’1″ tall,” Lawson explained.
Year after year, we’ve shown you what people like Lawson and Roth struggle with. But now we’ve finally gotten answers, not from Lakeshore Management, but from the County.
Back in May, Deputy District Administrator Tom Almonte said they had arranged a meeting with residents, but that has not yet taken place.
Pinellas County said Lakeshore Management had stopped all communication with them, which is why they were unable to enter the property. However, we informed county officials by phone that residents were inviting them onto their property and into their homes.
The district leaders sent us the following statement on Friday:
“Twin City residents have been granted an extension of their temporary occupancy through June 1, 2025. In addition, the county has been closely monitoring the park during the recent tropical storm to ensure the safety of residents and evacuate them if necessary,”
The County remains committed to supporting Twin City residents. We are actively exploring all available options, including potential relocation assistance, with the goal of initiating these actions before the end of the year. As you know, the park is privately owned and therefore we rely on the cooperation of the property owners.
Residents with questions are asked to contact our office at (727) 464-7700.”
People living there said they still felt abandoned.
“We are 100% neglected… They don’t care. They don’t have to come here and sleep. They go home and don’t have to worry about leaving every time it rains… Their mother isn’t here, so that’s not the highest priority,” Roth said.
Lawson is dejected but says he refuses to give up and will continue to beg everyone to listen to him.
“Could you please help us make this sewage system work 210% better so that when there is a threat, we can be confident that water won’t reach our living rooms?” asked Lawson.
The Twin City was still flooded days after Debby, and residents said they were counting on county leaders to step in and enforce enforcement to take action.
“If you’re listening, come here and help us. If Lakeshore Management needs help, help them and help us. I don’t want to swim away,” Lawson pleaded.
Storm surge from Tropical Storm Debby washed away nearly 100 sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island. ABC Action News reporter Jessica De Leon spoke with the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch team that is examining the nests to determine if they are still viable.
Tropical Storm Debby washed away nearly 100 sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island
