Tag: Hurricane Helene
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After hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida last year, countless Tampa Bay residents found themselves caught in a maze of delays—waiting for permits, answers on substantial damage letters, and direction on who was responsible for getting them back in their homes. Eight months later, many of those same homeowners are still displaced, stuck in limbo.…
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Just days into the 2025 hurricane season, Tampa International Airport officials say the facility is ready to respond swiftly if tropical weather threatens the region. Much of this year’s preparedness is based on lessons learned from last year’s double blow by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which tested the airport’s emergency protocols. Coordinating closely with weather…
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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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Months after Hurricane Helene devastated the Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach, the plaza is ready for a fresh start. Jennifer Moore, owner of Sun and Surf, has deep roots in the shopping center — her family has owned the store since 1983. “I grew up here. I was 11, and I’d come in after…
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As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, residents of the Tampa Bay region, particularly in Pinellas County, are bracing for what forecasters predict could be another active year. After the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, which caused unprecedented flooding, widespread power outages, and billions in damages across the region, local officials and…
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Kevin and Nicole Berry, owners of Shattered Glass DIY, are working hard to keep their dream alive after a series of setbacks. Their art studio, located in Dolphin Village on St. Pete Beach, was set to open just as Hurricane Helene struck last year, destroying much of their inventory. “Everything inside was wiped out—we had…
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Long-awaited repairs could soon begin on Pier 60 in Clearwater, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. On Monday, city officials will ask the Clearwater City Council to approve $313,575 in funding for permanent repairs to the bait shop located at the center of the pier, along with temporary fixes to the…
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With hurricane season starting Sunday, Pinellas County employees are completing their final training sessions to operate emergency shelters. Knowing where to go during a storm can be lifesaving, and local officials are making sure shelters are ready when residents need them most. “We had around 1,700 people for Hurricane Helene and close to 14,000 for…
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Last fall, still stinging from the damage wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware in St. Pete Beach found itself in the same boat as many of its customers—dealing with extensive flood damage and a long road to recovery. The store was forced to close for two months as employees worked…
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Residents of St. Petersburg have until June 23 to provide feedback on a draft action plan outlining how the city intends to use $159 million in federal disaster recovery funds following Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)…
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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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On May 20, St. Pete city officials and business leaders convened at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for the annual State of the Economy meeting. Since last year, St. Petersburg has weathered significant setbacks—including two major hurricanes, Helene and Milton, and the collapse of the Tampa Bay Rays redevelopment deal. In response, the city is…
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In the seven months following a punishing 2024 hurricane season, residents of Pinellas’ barrier islands are approaching hurricane preparedness with renewed urgency. On May 7, the fourth floor of the Indian Shores Municipal Center was filled to capacity for “Storm Ready: Hurricane Awareness and Preparation,” an annual event hosted for the communities of Indian Shores…
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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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Clearwater Harbor Marina is beginning a long road to recovery following damage from back-to-back hurricanes last year. The City Council has approved a work order to kick off the design phase for critical repairs at the marina’s North Basin. “During the storm, a sailboat came through and hit that bridge,” Mike MacDonald, Director of Marine…
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City departments in Treasure Island are evaluating their performance during the 2024 hurricane season and preparing to present their findings to city commissioners on Tuesday. The goal: identify strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for future emergencies. Representatives from the fire department, police, community development, finance, administration, parks and recreation, and public information have each…
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As demand for home repairs continues to climb in Citrus County, especially following recent hurricanes Helene and Milton, officials are warning residents about the risks of hiring unlicensed contractors. Local business owner Katrina Leturno, who runs Circle T Sod Farms with her family, has noticed a surge in customer inquiries ahead of the rainy season.…
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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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St. Petersburg officials say back-to-back hurricanes have better prepared the city for the 2025 storm season, which begins in less than three weeks. Speaking from the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility on Tuesday, Mayor Ken Welch emphasized infrastructure upgrades and increased storm readiness. The city shut down the low-lying plant during Hurricanes Helene and Milton but…
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Pinellas County is seeking over $8 million in federal grants to bolster a nearly $11 million project aimed at storm-hardening 35 traffic signals along key evacuation routes. At their May 6 meeting, county commissioners unanimously approved the application for two state-administered federal grants totaling $8.23 million. The county will contribute a $2.74 million match, already…
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The City of St. Petersburg is fast-tracking major flood infrastructure projects to better withstand future storms and keep vital sewer systems running, ahead of this year’s hurricane season, Mayor Ken Welch announced Tuesday. “Many of these upgrades were originally slated for completion within the next 3 to 5 years,” Welch said. “Now, we’re accelerating timelines,…
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Manatee County residents are being asked to weigh in on how to use more than $252 million in federal disaster relief funding to support recovery from recent hurricanes and flooding. The area was hit hard last hurricane season, with severe wind and flood damage still visible in many neighborhoods. Some residents are still trying to…
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Pasco County is set to receive over $585 million in federal funding to aid in storm recovery efforts. The funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds will support recovery efforts across Pasco County in the wake of Hurricanes Idalia, Helene,…
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Could a long-term fix finally be on the horizon for the persistent flooding in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood? Residents are hopeful. With the city’s support, they’ve joined forces with experts to find real solutions through the St. Pete Resident Task Force Pilot Program — an initiative that could lead to major changes. As part…
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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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A Florida bill aimed at bolstering hurricane preparedness and response is one step away from becoming law, pending Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature. House Bill 7073, passed unanimously by both the Florida House and Senate, introduces measures to strengthen the state’s resilience against tropical storms and hurricanes, which frequently threaten the region. The legislation, sponsored by…
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As Florida observes Hurricane Preparedness Week, many Tampa residents—especially those in the hard-hit Westshore neighborhood—say they’re still struggling to recover from last year’s storms and feel unprepared for the hurricane season ahead. With the 2025 tropical storm season just three weeks away, anxiety is mounting. In Westshore, where Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a trail…
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Following the impact of three hurricanes in 2024, Florida lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, including debris removal and post-storm rebuilding. On Friday, the House unanimously passed the bill (SB 180) with a 106-0 vote, while the Senate approved it 34-1. The measure now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis…
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Pinellas County commissioners will discuss a proposal on Tuesday for allocating $813 million in federal hurricane recovery funds. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is intended to support communities affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton. Recently, county officials have hosted public meetings to gather input on spending…
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The City of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council are partnering with local neighborhoods for a “resiliency bus tour” next Saturday, spotlighting flood-prone areas and exploring long-term solutions. At the heart of this effort is the newly formed Resilient St. Pete Resident Task Force, created to address persistent flooding challenges. Shore Acres…
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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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Efforts to rebuild the storm-damaged Fire Marshal Dick Brock Memorial Pier in Safety Harbor are gaining traction, with city officials expressing optimism after a recent meeting with potential contractors. The project—vital to local tourism, recreation, and economic development—continues to move through key phases, including finalizing design plans, securing permits, and pursuing critical funding. The pier…
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Homeowners in St. Petersburg trying to rebuild after Hurricane Helene are now grappling with a new crisis: foreclosure threats from a mortgage company that recently acquired their loan. Woody Faircloth and his family, who live in the Riviera Bay neighborhood, say their mortgage was sold while they were still recovering from storm damage. Despite following…
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After years of setbacks, Florida’s citrus growers may finally be getting the help they’ve long awaited. A state Senate committee recently proposed allocating $200 million to the citrus industry in the upcoming fiscal year. Kyle Story, a fourth-generation grower, has witnessed storms batter his family’s groves over the decades. However, he said Hurricanes Milton and…
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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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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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Just 3 days from now will mark 7 months since Hurricane Helene, and in only 2 weeks, 6 months since Hurricane Milton. Yet, hundreds, if not thousands, are still dealing with the fallout, attempting to recover from the double punch the historic storms delivered. Meanwhile, the Florida legislature is considering House Bill 1535, a set…
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Next month, St. Petersburg’s new Resident Task Force pilot program will kick off with a bus tour through the flood-prone neighborhoods of Shore Acres and Riviera Bay, as part of a collaborative effort to explore innovative flood mitigation strategies. “The city is finally giving residents a real voice,” said Kevin Batdorf, President of the Shore…
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As hurricane season looms, Florida’s House Bill 1535 is making waves with a bold proposal to ease the burden on property owners recovering from devastating storms. Backed by Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) and with a Senate counterpart (SB 180) sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach), the measure aims to streamline post-storm recovery and…
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Honeymoon Island State Park is once again welcoming visitors, and recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Helene’s extensive damage. The hurricane severely impacted the park’s coastal dunes. To restore the shoreline, the Florida Park Service hired Clearwater-based Gator Dredging to remove and redistribute 168,000 cubic yards of sand from nearby Hurricane Pass. That material was used…
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