Residents in North Tampa’s Forest Hills neighborhood—classified as “Flood Zone X,” typically considered low-risk—gathered Monday night to demand answers from city and county leaders after devastating flooding last year.

Sherri Allen, a longtime Forest Hills resident, recalled watching helplessly as water poured into her home the morning after Hurricane Milton made landfall.

“It was terrible,” Allen said. “We tried to stop the water as it was coming in. We were hoping it would stop, but it wouldn’t.”

Like many in her neighborhood, Allen is now thousands of dollars in debt due to repairs. At 64, she had hoped to be saving for retirement, not rebuilding her life in a place she once believed was safe from major flooding.

“I’m scared,” she admitted. “I’m the only one with an income. I couldn’t rebuild my house again.”

Allen joined dozens of other concerned residents at a community meeting in Forest Hills, where officials were joined by representatives from Black & Veatch, the firm conducting an independent investigation into last year’s flooding.

While full findings won’t be available until June, residents were told that temporary measures like portable generators and improved monitoring of pumps will be implemented ahead of this year’s storm season.

Michael Phelps, client director at Black & Veatch, emphasized the importance of routine maintenance as a short-term fix.

“It’s going to be a combination of a lot of small improvements that could make the biggest difference,” he said. “That includes better maintenance, storm preparation protocols, and making sure the systems aren’t being pushed past their limits.”

Another concern raised at the meeting: is how water pumped out by the county may impact city neighborhoods like Forest Hills. Residents urged officials to coordinate efforts more closely to prevent future flooding.

Marilyn Menendez-Arnett, who still hasn’t returned to her home, expressed cautious optimism.

“I think more could’ve been done sooner, but now they’re being pushed to act,” she said. “I try to stay positive. I’ve cried so many tears—I don’t think I have any left.”

For Allen, the hope now is for accountability and action.

“We need the city to take responsibility and help us,” she said. “Both the city and the county played a role in what happened, and it’s time for them to own that.”

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(Image credit: Rob Seal/Spectrum News)

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