Tag: FEMA
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FEMA is preparing new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Alligator Creek Watershed that covers parts of Clearwater, Safety Harbor, and unincorporated Pinellas County. The maps change both flood-zone boundaries and base flood elevations. The city asked FEMA to review the watershed in 2015 after stormwater conditions shifted. FEMA completed its study shortly before Hurricane…
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St. Petersburg City Council quietly signed off on nearly $2.9 million in federal funding last week to elevate seven flood-prone homes in the city — the latest installment in a mitigation push that continues to rely heavily on taxpayer-funded disaster spending rather than private insurance or market-based solutions. The council approved seven grant agreements with…
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Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through the Tampa Bay area, Clearwater is still fronting the cost of its own recovery while it waits on Washington to make good on $9.3 million in promised FEMA reimbursement. City officials say the bureaucratic process remains ongoing even as residents have largely put their lives…
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FEMA says it has provided nearly $24 million to the state for more than 50 Elevate Florida home elevation projects, marking progress on a long-delayed program meant to help homeowners raise flood-prone homes above future floodwaters as another hurricane season gets underway. The Elevate Florida program is operated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management,…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved nearly $55 million to support resilience and recovery projects across Florida, including funding earmarked for the Tampa Bay region. The award is part of a broader $584 million nationwide investment FEMA announced this month through its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, its Public Assistance program, and its…
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September 26th and October 9th will mark the two-year anniversaries of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But even twenty-three months after the destruction that both storms fiercely unleashed, there are still homeowners trying to recover. Although much of the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas County, has rebuilt and rebounded, a substantial number of residents remain uncertain…
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Florida is set to receive nearly $2 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement funding to support disaster recovery projects across the state, according to U.S. Senator Ashley Moody. The announcement is expected to be made during a news conference with leaders in Charlotte County. The latest allocation follows a previous announcement in May,…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has committed $16.5 million to reimburse St. Petersburg for repairs to Tropicana Field, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton in October 2024. St. Petersburg Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene informed City Council members of the expected reimbursement in a Feb. 10 email, describing it as “an extremely promising step…
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If you’re a Pinellas County homeowner who watched Hurricanes Helene and Milton turn your place into a soggy mess last fall, you know the drill: Floodwaters recede, but the real nightmare? Getting back to normal. It’s been over a year since those back-to-back beasts slammed the Gulf Coast in September and October 2024, leaving thousands…
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Florida Rep. Greg Steube and Louisiana Rep. Troy Carter have introduced legislation designed to ensure FEMA reimburses municipalities for clearing storm debris from private communities such as condominiums, manufactured home parks, and homeowners’ associations. The Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support Act would address FEMA’s current ability to deny reimbursement…
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In response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, officials and homeowners in Pinellas County are moving ahead with elevating homes and implementing stricter floodplain standards — part of what authorities say is a longer-term strategy to protect lives and property. What’s happening Why it matters Challenges and community impact What comes…
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As hurricane season ramps up, state leaders and disaster experts are voicing concerns that Florida may be less prepared than it has been in years past. They point to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent budget vetoes, warning that reduced funding for recovery and infrastructure projects could leave communities more vulnerable when the next major storm strikes.…
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Hundreds of Clearwater homes may soon be reclassified into flood zones that require insurance, according to preliminary maps recently released by FEMA. The city’s Floodplain Administrator, Gene Henry, stated that the updated flood maps are based on more accurate data collected over the past five years, including LiDAR and improved elevation information. “This is very…
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Hillsborough County homeowners have another chance to apply for federal help in repairing storm-damaged homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the state of Florida, is offering assistance through the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. The funding is also available to residents who were previously denied through the state’s Elevate Florida Grant…
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Residents question how grant decisions were made after hundreds of denials Florida’s new Elevate Florida program—launched to help homeowners raise properties at risk of flooding—has left many disappointed after its first round of funding. Of the more than 12,000 applications submitted, most are now being met with rejection letters. Only a fraction of applicants have…
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Floridians may be eligible for up to $275 per week in disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) if their job or self-employment was disrupted due to a federally declared disaster. As you prepare for the 2025 hurricane season—whether by stocking your emergency kit or reinforcing your home—it’s also important to plan for potential financial setbacks. Severe storms…
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When Sunset Beach resident Grant Smith and his wife first discussed disaster plans for their 1940s cottage-style home, they assumed a major storm would mean a full rebuild. But after Hurricane Helene flooded their home with 3 to 5 feet of water, they took a different route: lifting the house 14 feet to meet current…
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With hurricane season nearing, Pinellas County is revamping its permitting process to help residents in unincorporated areas return home faster after storms. County officials plan to implement upgraded software, simplify procedures, and use a proprietary damage assessment tool to speed up permit approvals. The new approach leverages a FEMA-approved option allowing residents to submit contractor-prepared…
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In Bay Pines’ Harbor Lights Club, a once-idyllic waterfront mobile home park, the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is still painfully evident. Nearly eight months since the storms hit, broken docks, shattered homes, and sunken boats remain scattered across the community. “It was like a resort to be down there,” longtime resident Victor Docherty…
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Manatee County is inviting residents to help shape how it will use a $252 million federal grant for long-term hurricane recovery and resilience. The initiative, called Lasting Manatee, is focused on addressing unmet needs from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton in 2024. Funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…
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Just weeks before the official start of hurricane season, a newly surfaced internal review is casting doubt on FEMA’s ability to respond effectively to major disasters. The report, initially reported by CNN and later obtained by CBS News, flags critical concerns about staffing shortages and confusion over FEMA’s role, as the Trump administration signals a…
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A St. Pete Beach hotel owner who opened his doors to hurricane victims says a federal relief program meant to support recovery has left him footing a massive bill. Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel, began housing displaced residents through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program after hurricanes struck Pinellas County. For 180…
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After Hurricane Helene tore through Florida last year, many residents along the coast are still displaced and working to rebuild before the next hurricane season begins on June 1. Experts say the aftermath could lead to major changes in local and state land development codes, aimed at making homes stronger and more flood-resilient. In response…
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Treasure Island City Commissioners are urging residents making hurricane-related home repairs to submit their permit applications by May 31 in order to qualify for a waiver on permit fees. Barb Adams, a longtime Treasure Island resident, is finally preparing to move back into her storm-damaged home next week after nearly eight months in temporary housing.…
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When Hurricane Milton struck last year, hundreds of homes far from the coast were inundated, exposing vulnerabilities in inland flood management. Now, local governments across the Tampa Bay region are reassessing how to prevent similar disasters. In Land O’Lakes, Douglas Woods waded through three feet of water nearly a week after the storm submerged his…
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With hurricane season set to begin June 1, Sarasota County is hosting a community event on Thursday, May 8, to help residents prepare and stay informed. Officials will also discuss the region’s ongoing recovery from last year’s storms. Leaders from FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Small Business Administration,…
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City leaders in St. Pete Beach are seeking innovative strategies to preserve two cherished landmarks heavily damaged by recent hurricanes: the historic Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard court building and the Merry Pier Bait Shack. At a meeting on April 22, commissioners were briefed on the extent of the destruction caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Public Services…
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A state-hired contractor, Tidal Basin Group, made numerous mistakes assessing hurricane-damaged homes in Pinellas County, causing confusion and delays for residents trying to rebuild. The company’s reports, often based on incomplete or incorrect data-sometimes without entering homes-led to thousands of “substantially damaged” letters, requiring homeowners to either demolish or rebuild to stricter standards. Homeowners across…
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Fort Myers Beach has successfully completed all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements and will be released from its National Flood Insurance Program probation status on November 18, according to town officials. The town satisfied five specific action items mandated by FEMA earlier in 2024. With the probation lifting, residents will no longer be subject…
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As St. Petersburg recovers from past hurricanes and braces for a new season, the city is facing a sharp decline in financial support. Compared to this time last year, the city has received $31.3 million less in grant funding — an 83% drop from $37.6 million to just $6.3 million through March. The decline is…
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The Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach has weathered storms for decades, but now, its residents face a new challenge: eviction. After enduring the devastation of Hurricane Helene and the difficult cleanup that followed, residents began to rebuild their lives. Many feared their homes would be red-tagged by FEMA, but 83 of the 86 homeowners…
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Local leaders from several beach communities across Pinellas County came together Thursday for a “State of the Beaches” discussion, reflecting on the region’s ongoing recovery from two powerful hurricanes. The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and the Pinellas Beaches Chamber hosted the event at Madeira Beach City Hall, which brought together mayors and vice mayors…
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Marilyn Mendez Arnett has lived in her Tampa home for over 40 years, raising a family and building a life with her late husband. Her property lies in what FEMA currently designates as a “non-flood zone”—Zone X. But that classification may soon change. Following recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Milton, FEMA is reassessing Tampa’s flood maps,…
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The City of St. Petersburg is facing a major setback in its storm preparedness efforts after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the termination of a key funding source. The city had anticipated receiving millions through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has historically supported flood mitigation projects and home elevation…
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The City of St. Petersburg plans to secure an $85 million line of credit from Bank of America to help fund ongoing storm recovery efforts, including debris removal and repairs to Tropicana Field. City officials say the borrowing strategy is a fiscally responsible move amid ongoing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The proposal, discussed during…
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Pasco County residents gathered Monday night for the first in a series of public meetings to discuss how to allocate millions in federal hurricane relief funds — with housing emerging as the community’s top concern. The meeting, held at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, was part of the county’s outreach effort to involve the…
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While April 15 is the traditional tax filing deadline, some Tampa Bay Area taxpayers impacted by recent storms have more time to submit their returns. The IRS has extended the tax deadline to May 1 for individuals affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This extension applies automatically to those whose official address is in a…
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Community workshops will help shape how over $1.3 billion in federal disaster relief is used. Pasco and Pinellas counties are inviting residents to weigh in on how to spend more than a billion dollars in hurricane recovery funds. Both counties are launching a series of public workshops to gather community input on priorities for long-term…
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Residents of mobile home communities in Dunedin are voicing their concerns after receiving “substantial damage” letters from Pinellas County, following the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in late 2024. The letters, sent to homeowners in flood zones, indicate that their properties have sustained damage exceeding 50% of their market value, triggering strict rebuilding…
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The City of Treasure Island has decided against extending the presence of state-provided recovery staff, opting instead to rely on its own resources as it continues to rebuild from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The decision, made during a recent city commission meeting, marks a shift in the city’s approach to managing…
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Residents of St. Pete Beach, Florida, are facing an uncertain future as their temporary hotel stays, provided by FEMA, are set to end on April 12, 2025. The community was devastated by back-to-back storms, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which left many homes uninhabitable. Among those affected is Jennifer Macksey, who has been living in…
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Typically, March brings throngs of visitors to the sidewalk outside Walter Loos’ ice cream parlor in Bradenton Beach. “In the evenings, you’d see a solid crowd filling the space,” Loos recalled when speaking to WTVT. This year, however, the area stands deserted. The ice cream parlor, as well as Loos’ nearby pizza and donut shops,…
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Nearly six months after hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Florida Gulf Coast, Pinellas County has sent out substantial damage letters to hundreds of mobile home park residents, notifying them that their properties exceed FEMA’s 50% damage threshold. This designation means homeowners must either elevate or replace their homes to meet FEMA compliance standards. At…
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