Tag: FEMA
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Treasure Island has revised several ordinances to allow residents to elevate their homes, offering a new option to protect against flooding as part of a terrain modification program set to begin on May 1. The use of fill material in this process remains entirely optional, according to city officials. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread…
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Heather Wendt’s father-in-law built their two-story home in Crystal Beach, Pinellas County, over 50 years ago. Despite being situated along Sutherland Bayou, floodwaters had never reached the doorstep—until last year. Now, the blue carpet that once lined her staircase is torn from the first three steps, and remnants of spray-foam sealant cling to the front…
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Six months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, many residents are still grappling with the aftermath of these storms, compounded by unresolved damage from earlier ones. Among them is Tanya Morales, who continues to wait for insurance funds to address worsening roof issues. Morales frequently climbs onto her roof with a ladder to clear leaves…
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According to FEMA, the 2024 hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—resulted in over 72,000 national flood insurance claims. Specifically, Hurricane Helene alone prompted more than 54,000 claims within a month of its impact. FEMA data from 2003 to 2023 also reveals that 99% of U.S. counties have experienced a flood event, underscoring the widespread risk. In response…
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Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tampa Bay, many residents remain in temporary hotel accommodations, waiting for their homes to be repaired. Among them is Susan Brancato and her husband, who have been living in a hotel since their St. Petersburg condo was severely flooded. Last week, they received a call from…
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For Kathy Kaestner, the list of home repairs seems never-ending. “We had to rip out all the floors, all the drywall four feet and under, the cabinets,” Kaestner said. “I lost all my appliances.” Local news station, WFTS previously shared Kaestner’s story. Living in Tampa’s Forest Hills neighborhood, she suffered severe flood damage after Hurricane…
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As Treasure Island continues to rebuild after last year’s devastating hurricanes, both visitors and local businesses are adjusting to the first spring break since the storms. Many tourists anticipated some changes, but they were still taken aback by how much the area has transformed. Meanwhile, business owners are working to recover, hoping for a boost…
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City Council members recently convened with consultants to ensure St. Petersburg meets federal requirements to secure $160 million in disaster recovery funding. The city must allocate $139 million to unmet storm recovery needs and $20.85 million to mitigation efforts, with at least 70% of the funds benefiting low-to-moderate-income (LMI) households. To assist in developing the…
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Nearly six months ago, 98-year-old Regina May watched in disbelief as waves crashed outside her South Pasadena home when Hurricane Helene struck the Tampa Bay area. “All the water came here like a waterfall—it was rushing in so fast,” May recalled to WTVT. Floodwaters surged into her first floor, destroying many of her belongings. Her…
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Numerous hurricane survivors remain in limbo, dependent on FEMA’s temporary housing aid. Caught in a permit backlog, many are still unable to start rebuilding their homes. Yet, they now face an unexpected deadline that has taken them by surprise. With spring break underway, Plaza Beach Hotel’s rooms are fully booked, leaving dozens of guests uncertain…
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Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, FEMA has disbursed over $1.5 billion to assist Floridians. Yet, nearly six months later, WTSP reports that some survivors, expecting ongoing temporary housing payments, are suddenly finding that important support cut off. Terri Orr of St. Pete Beach is among them. In a single night, he lost his home, car,…
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Since October, Plaza Beach Resorts in St. Pete Beach has opened its doors exclusively to storm survivors, a commitment owner Rob Czyszczon plans to maintain even through the profitable spring break season. “Every guest here was impacted by the hurricanes,” Czyszczon told Bay News 9. “We’re doing what’s right for our community—providing shelter to those…
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Homeowners facing storm damage are left with a tough choice: elevate their homes or tear them down. Many residents affected by recent hurricanes are struggling to comply with federal rebuilding requirements, and the decision isn’t getting any easier. This week, the Florida Department of Emergency Management is holding meetings to discuss the new Elevate Florida…
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is hosting workshops this week in Pinellas County to help residents navigate ‘Elevate Florida,’ a pioneering statewide residential mitigation program. Designed to accelerate property protection efforts, the program aims to minimize damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. The first workshop takes place on Wednesday at…
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Fire Station 22 in Pass-a-Grille, vacant since Hurricane Helene flooded it last September, is slated for demolition, according to St. Pete Beach Fire Chief Jim Kilpatrick. “We’d already planned to tear it down,” Kilpatrick told Bay News 9. “The storm just sped up the timeline.” Constructed in 1974, the station has faced mounting issues. A…
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Hurricane Milton devastated coastal communities across the greater Tampa Bay region, but inland areas were hit just as hard. Tracy Boyette has lived near Lakeland for 17 years—but her home, or what’s left of it, is almost unrecognizable. “Everything was damaged,” Boyette told WUSF. “I’ve never seen mold grow so fast, spreading up the walls.…
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As storm recovery efforts continue across Tampa Bay, the city of St. Petersburg has shared updates on key initiatives, including the commencement of repairs at Tropicana Field. Under the terms of the residency agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays, the city is responsible for the repairs, which are projected to cost approximately $56 million. The…
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In October, Hurricane Milton battered the Tampa Bay area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Now, nearly six months later, some Zephyrhills residents continue to grapple with persistent flooding, lacking access to basic necessities like running water and electricity. Don Ferguson, a resident of nearly 20 years, saw his entire home inundated during…
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Bradenton Beach officials have reached a consensus on demolishing 16 structures severely damaged by the 2024 hurricanes. During a Feb. 20 commission meeting, Police Chief John Cosby, who leads the city’s emergency management team, reported that he had notified property owners on Feb. 10 about the need for demolition. According to FEMA guidelines, if a…
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The Pinecrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighborhoods that, despite not being designated as FEMA flood zones, suffered extensive flood damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many homeowners in the area lack flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance—some of which, they claim, has yet to arrive. Codie Parkinson has already spent…
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Hurricane Helene’s storm surge last September severely damaged critical infrastructure in Pass-a-Grille, including a beach wall, roadway, and seawall—necessitating costly emergency repairs, according to St. Pete Beach Public Services Director Camden Mills. “This is a top priority project for us, and we are actively investigating solutions,” Mills said. “These infrastructure repairs are crucial for public…
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A legal battle over the presidential administration’s pause and review of federal funding has created uncertainty for the City of St. Petersburg at a critical time. City officials are awaiting approximately $200 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and an additional $160 million in hurricane recovery funds for residents. Frustrated city council members…
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Four months after Hurricane Milton devastated the Lake Bonny area, residents continue to face significant challenges with insurance denials, elevated water levels, and slow recovery progress. Ongoing Water Level Concerns Residents around Lake Bonny and Little Lake Bonny are anxiously monitoring water levels as they attempt to rebuild their storm-damaged homes. Many fear that the…
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Felix Figueruelo keeps what remains of his parents’ possessions in a pod on their front porch. “They’re eager to return home,” he told Bay News 9. It’s been four months since Hurricane Milton flooded their house. “I promised them, ‘I’ll pick you up in the morning,’” he recalled. “‘You’ve got nothing to worry about.’ I…
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Five months have passed since Hurricane Helene hit, flooding hundreds of homes in the Tampa Bay area’s beach towns. One resident, Jeff Fuller, is facing significant challenges rebuilding his home after it was inundated by five feet of water. His efforts have been stalled, as he waits for the necessary permits. Fuller, a resident of…
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The City of Treasure Island is set to explore the possibility of waiving additional permit fees for residents rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. At a workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, city commissioners will deliberate on the proposal to eliminate permit fees for both elevating existing homes and for new constructions aimed at replacing hurricane-affected properties.…
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A couple in Gulfport, Becky McCoy and Jim Newman, faced a significant setback in their recovery efforts after waiting nearly five months for a permit from city officials to repair their roof and the damage left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Initially, a substantial damage determination letter from November indicated that their home suffered less…
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Residents of storm-battered St. Petersburg, along with several real estate agents, have voiced worries after city officials initiated nearly 11,000 code enforcement cases on properties potentially affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many residents argue that their properties do not exhibit significant damage, while others worry that open cases could tarnish property reputations, complicating sales. …
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When Hurricane Helene struck, it was just another chapter in the history of flooding for the home recently acquired by Melanie Cook and her partner Shawn, months before last year’s relentless storms. Realizing the home’s recurrent flooding issues, the couple felt they had no choice but to elevate their house. “Until we elevate, the threat…
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In the state of Georgia, Augusta’s storm cleanup efforts have made significant progress over four months, but completing the work quickly has become increasingly urgent for the city’s finances. “We’ve been working every day to clear this debris. Fortunately, FEMA initially extended our deadline from 90 to 120 days,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle. Though…
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Several homeowners continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which submerged entire residential areas last fall. Among those affected are Kim and Michael Barnes, who have lived on their property for two decades. “We couldn’t even reach our home because of the flooding,” Kim Barnes explained. “We had to use my son’s canoe…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left many homeowners grappling with challenges from flooding to extensive cleanups. Now, a federal regulation may add to their financial woes. The FEMA 50% rule, a complex regulation, could cost affected homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars, catching many off guard. Homeowners in flood zones with substantial damage may not…
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Thousands of homeowners in St. Petersburg are dealing with open city code cases on their properties. City officials explain that these cases were initiated after damage assessments to ensure properties comply with city codes and FEMA regulations. However, this initiative has sparked frustration among homeowners, including Kevin Batdorf. He argues that these open cases might…
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Hurricane Helene struck over 125 days ago. And 10 small towns across Pinellas County beaches have seen significant delays in rebuilding efforts, with many homeowners only recently learning if they can reconstruct their homes. Barb Adams, a Treasure Island resident, finally received a permit to elevate her house last week after applying two-and-a-half months ago…
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There are visible signs of recovery in Madeira Beach, with live music at the Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar and restaurants bustling on Thursday nights. While some businesses have reopened, others remain closed and boarded up, as do several homes due to extensive hurricane damage. Many residents, like those in nearby areas, are unable to begin…
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Jason Rule and his girlfriend lost nearly everything when Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated their South Pasadena home—except for a few clothes. “It was absolutely heartbreaking,” Rule said. “My girlfriend had just beaten breast cancer, and her garden was her therapy. It was completely wiped out. Nothing was salvageable.” The owners of their rental home…
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U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is calling on FEMA to waive its 50% rule, a regulation she says is forcing residents out of their homes. She first shared her plan with WFLA, outlining efforts to involve President Donald Trump. More than four months have passed since Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton devastated Tampa Bay’s coastal…
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Treasure Island’s recovery from recent hurricanes has stalled, prompting Mayor John Doctor to take a decisive step to expedite the process. In a letter addressed directly to President Donald Trump this week, Mayor Doctor requested disaster relief similar to what North Carolina and California received, citing FEMA’s red tape as a significant hindrance. “I don’t…
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Cleanup of debris left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg started on Monday, over three months following the storms. “This marks the first day of cleanup, primarily involving demolition and debris removal,” Rich Lesniak, the Airport Manager, told Bay News 9r. “Each time I see this, it’s still somewhat…
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The Pinellas County Government is reminding people through social media it’s possible to appeal a FEMA decision if applicants are denied disaster assistance. Here’s what you need to know: Appealing FEMA’s Decision for Disaster Assistance If you’ve applied for FEMA assistance and received a decision letter, you have the right to appeal if you disagree…
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St. Pete Beach is calling for volunteers to help alleviate a backlog that’s preventing storm victims from rebuilding their homes. Blue tarps and sandbags cover numerous rooftops in the Bahia Shores neighborhood, a stark reminder of Hurricane Helene’s impact last fall. The remnants of destruction are still visible as residents await their permits, three months…
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to terminate its transitional shelter assistance for families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, effective Tuesday. This decision affects those who FEMA has determined no longer qualify for the program. Details on Affected Individuals: Approximately 47,000 residents of Florida have been residing in hotels and motels since…
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The Tampa City Council is poised to review a $3 million initiative aimed at supporting hurricane victims, including residents like Belina Trask, who has been struggling to restore her home in Forest Hills since the hurricanes hit. In 2025, Trask recounted her ordeal to WFLA News, “Half the house flooded.” Like many others, Trask turned…
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