Roof damaged at Tampa apartments prompts evacuations

TAMPA (FOX 13) - More than 30 people had to be evacuated from the Serenity Lake Apartments in Tampa overnight after storms ripped roofs off and cracked walls in buildings. 

Several residents came home from work to find their apartments soaked with rain water, covered in wet insulation and a clear view of the sky above.

Three buildings with 19 total units remain evacuated due to severe roof damage.

"The next door neighbor their roof flew off and mine is caved in so I have nothing," said resident Denisha Flynn. "Debris is everywhere. Everything that I own is gone. I'm a single parent."

Despite extensive damage, no injuries were reported.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto says Friday's thunderstorms were classic summer-like storms with beneficial rains and gusty winds, winds with the potential to cause damage. 

Many residents though now have questions about the safety of their homes.

"It's concerning to me because this wasn't a tornado, this wasn't a severe storm but in the event there is a severe storm, are the buildings that still are able to provide shelter? Are they going to be able to go through all the damage and winds?" wondered Alberto Pagan.

"These roofs were just done literally not even a year ago and then for them to come up like that is pretty terrifying," said Linda Molina, whose parents have lived in the complex for nearly two decades.

The Red Cross has provided neighbors impacted by the storm with shelter access.

FOX 13 reached out to apartment management and building owners on Saturday to find out what, if anything, is being done for permanently displaced residents but have yet to receive a response.