Hillsborough County held its final post-disaster redevelopment meeting on Wednesday, one day before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Milton, to address ongoing recovery concerns from residents and businesses.

County officials reported that some residents remain displaced from last hurricane season, living in hotels or temporarily with family and friends. The meeting focused on assessing community needs and reviewing the county’s post-disaster redevelopment plan.

Carrollwood resident Hal Sparks, whose home flooded with a foot of water during Milton, raised concerns about infrastructure and stormwater management. Sparks attributed his flooding to development in a conservation area and questioned what the county is doing to address watershed impacts on neighborhoods.

However, panel members could not answer specific questions about stormwater management or resilient infrastructure during the meeting. C.K. Moore, planning section chief at the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management, acknowledged that stormwater and wastewater management are common concerns.

“A lot of times when we have this stuff it’s the storm water and the wastewater that comes together, and now you’re trying to move bodies of water,” Moore said. He noted that flooding occurs when water has nowhere to go.

Moore said the county is working on lift stations to improve water removal. Officials noted that Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton each presented different challenges, from wind damage to flooding.

The county will complete its post-disaster redevelopment plan for review by the administrator and county commission in the coming months. Officials also plan to develop a regional response plan.

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