The recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, left a lasting impact on the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, where tens of thousands of families are now grappling with the extensive damage. These storms, the most powerful to hit West Central Florida in over 103 years, brought historic levels of flooding, massive storm surges, and destructive winds. Many residents were forced from their homes as floodwaters rose to unprecedented heights, and communities were left with scenes of devastation. The safety of our families, friends, and loved ones is a profound blessing amid this hardship, and it’s a relief to know that even with so much loss, our community remains resilient.
For David Repka, one of the founders of Bison Financial Group, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is especially personal. His waterfront home of 27 years suffered 32 inches of flooding from seawater mixed with raw sewage, leaving massive damage. Everything from the floors up to four feet high was destroyed, waterlogged, and dragged to the curb. Even before the approach of Hurricane Milton, the debris left behind by Helene remained a potential hazard. As high winds and gusts of up to 125 mph tore through the area, David had evacuated to Gainesville to stay with his daughter and her fiancé, hoping to avoid further harm.
Jared Repka, co-founder of Bison Financial Group, fared slightly better, with Hurricane Milton inflicting roof and tree damage on his property. The destructive winds spared his home, but the extensive debris and uprooted trees are a powerful reminder of the storm's intensity. Driving along the beach and low lying neighborhoods now resembles a scene from a disaster movie, with piles of sand and rubble scattered everywhere. The damage is immense, but the safety of our loved ones reminds us of what truly matters. It’s a comfort to know, that even in the face of such devastation, the people closest to us are safe.
The losses suffered by our community have prompted Bison Financial Group to make a donation to The American Red Cross, supporting the relief efforts for those who’ve been most affected. For many families, returning to a sense of normalcy will require significant assistance and time, and any help you can provide will make a difference in their lives. If you’re able, please consider joining us in supporting the hurricane relief efforts. Together, we can offer a lifeline to those who have lost so much.
In reflecting on the aftermath of these storms, we’ve realized the importance of resilience and adaptability. The Bison Brothers, as we’re often called, have made the strategic decision to simplify our business operations in the fourth quarter. Moving forward, we’ll focus on high-impact, senior debt deals with quick turnarounds, including bridge debt on transitional assets, high-octane construction loans for STNL projects, and permanent debt for stabilized assets. These are the type of transactions we can handle with supreme confidence, even amidst this upheaval, allowing us to continue supporting our clients and rebuilding stronger and better than ever.
Despite the hardships, we’re choosing to embrace amor fati — a love of fate — acknowledging that these challenges, however difficult, are part of life’s journey. We will rebuild, as will the entire Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater community, one step at a time. This experience has underscored the fragility of material things and the lasting strength of our connections with loved ones and the community we cherish.
And to those that kept us in your thoughts and prayers, we appreciate you more than you can imagine!
Author: Jared Repka
About the Author:
Jared Repka is the Co-Founder of Bison Financial Group in St. Petersburg, FL.
Bison arranges debt and equity financing for commercial real estate investors and developers.
Bison has relationships with investors across the risk spectrum funding acquisitions, renovations, and new construction.
Click to learn more about:
Bison Financial Group