Tag: Hurricane Milton
-
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…
·
-
The Thunderbird Beach Resort, a historic landmark on Treasure Island since its opening in 1957, is slated for demolition to make way for a modern redevelopment. The resort, located at 10700 Gulf Blvd., has been a cherished part of the community for nearly seven decades, known for its retro charm and beachfront access along 310…
·
-
The University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus is still assessing the full extent of damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with early estimates suggesting costs could reach into the millions. The storms, which struck in late 2024, left significant destruction across the campus, impacting buildings, infrastructure, and equipment. Flooding from the hurricanes affected…
·
-
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…
·
-
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…
·
-
In the Twelve Oaks subdivision of Town ‘n’ Country, the streets are lined with tall laurel oaks—planted decades ago after residents demanded greenery from the original developer. Now, those same trees are reaching the end of their lifespan, and neighbors like Sue Pritchard are taking action to prevent disaster. “We do love them very much,”…
·
-
On Monday, Pinellas County residents had their first opportunity to share their priorities for over $800 million in federal hurricane recovery funds during a public meeting. More than 50 people gathered at the Lealman Exchange to discuss the $813 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aimed at supporting recovery…
·
-
Tampa has unveiled its latest efforts to combat flooding impacts with a $94 million project aimed at improving the city’s pumping stations. Mayor Jane Castor, Sustainability Officer Kayla Caselli, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Erik Garwell highlighted the importance of upgrading outdated infrastructure to ensure resiliency. This ambitious undertaking is part of the city’s $2.9…
·
-
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,…
·
-
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…
·
-
The City of St. Petersburg has approved $22.5 million to replace the roof of Tropicana Field, securing its suitability for Major League Baseball after Hurricane Milton destroyed the stadium’s iconic dome in October 2024. The damage forced the Tampa Bay Rays to move their home games to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Beth Herendeen,…
·
-
Eddie Powers is putting the finishing touches on the two vacation rentals he owns with his wife, Jen, on Manasota Key. This week marks a major milestone for the couple, as they prepare to welcome their first renters following the devastating hurricanes of 2024, Helene and Milton. “We restored them exactly as they were when…
·
-
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…
·
-
Hurricane victims in Tampa are grappling with confusion over who qualifies for relief funds and when they might receive assistance, prompting city leaders to call for patience. Recently, some homeowners received emails informing them that they won’t be getting financial help in the immediate phase. Marilyn Menendez-Arnett, whose husband Wendal passed away in June 2023,…
·
-
Following last year’s unprecedented hurricane season, the City of Tampa has intensified its efforts to clear storm drains and regrade drainage ditches throughout the city. The heavy rainfall preceding Hurricanes Helene and Milton put significant strain on the city’s stormwater system, resulting in coastal flooding during Helene and rare street-level flooding in parts of Tampa…
·
-
Nearly six months after Hurricane Milton tore through the Tampa Bay area, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has officially classified it as one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record. According to the NHC’s final storm report released Monday, Milton’s central pressure dropped as low as 895 mb, while its winds peaked at 178…
·
-
This week marks six months since the Island began recovering from Hurricane Helene’s severe flooding—just days before it was struck again by Hurricane Milton. On September 26, Helene’s storm surge inundated much of the Island with four feet of water, damaging or destroying homes and businesses across its three cities. Bradenton Beach was hit particularly…
·
-
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…
·
-
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…
·
-
The vote to approve repairs to Tropicana Field, severely damaged last October by Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. City Council member Corey Givens Jr. revealed that the delay was communicated via email by the city administrator on Friday, as council members prepared to return from spring break. Givens expressed frustration over the…
·
-
The historic Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete welcomed guests back yesterday in a limited capacity, more than six months after sustaining significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The 1920s Gatsby-Era building suffered extensive harm, prompting the hotel’s management to opt for a gradual reopening. As of yesterday, guests can access the…
·
-
Hillsborough County officials are organizing eight community meetings in April and May as part of a regional stormwater evaluation. These meetings come in response to the historic flooding caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. “A third of the entire Tampa Bay’s volume was dropped on the region during Hurricane Milton, leading to widespread…
·
-
The decision to replace the roof at Tropicana Field, which was damaged last October during Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the City Council vote originally scheduled for this week has been rescheduled for April 3. The roof repairs are estimated to cost $22.7 million, and council…
·
-
Pinellas County has secured over $813 million in federal funding to aid long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes—and officials want your input on how to allocate the funds. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will support recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia (2023) and Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024).…
·
-
The City of Tampa has initiated pre-applications for a hurricane assistance program aimed at supporting homeowners affected by last year’s storms, Helene and Milton. Funded through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), the city is providing three forms of disaster relief. Eligible households earning under $133,700 annually can apply. The assistance includes up to $5,000…
·
-
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…
·
-
Resilience defines Pinellas County’s tourism industry, which has bounced back impressively after the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In January, visitors contributed a record $8.29 million to local tax revenue, just three months post-storm. With over 1,400 rooms set to reopen by summer, officials expect further growth. St. Petersburg played a vital role in…
·
-
Florida legislators are advancing a proposal aimed at addressing challenges that arose during the destructive 2024 hurricane season. The Florida House took steps on Tuesday to push forward new measures, including property tax relief for rebuilt homes and updated election procedures in post-storm conditions. The House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1535,…
·
-
The City of St. Petersburg is allocating $7 million to upgrade two wastewater treatment facilities after severe flooding during the 2024 hurricane season forced their shutdowns. Hurricanes Helene and Milton inundated the Maximo Moorings neighborhood in South St. Pete, leading to the closure of the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Facility. Floodwaters in the area were contaminated…
·
-
St. Pete is in the final phase of repairing its parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and city-owned buildings battered by the consecutive hurricanes of 2024. Mike Jefferis, the city’s Community Enrichment Administrator, reports that the Lake Vista Recreation Center in South St. Pete endured some of the heaviest destruction. A bustling hub, the center has been…
·
-
St. Petersburg officials are standing by their decision to reduce insurance coverage on Tropicana Field, despite facing widespread criticism after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the stadium’s roof just months later. The aging ballpark remains the city’s most expensive asset, with St. Petersburg set to spend roughly $56 million on repairs while uncertainty looms over its…
·
-
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…
·
-
Spring breakers are once again flocking to the barrier islands, months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the area, leaving homes and businesses struggling to rebuild. Monday marked the start of spring break for many Tampa Bay students. “Crabby’s on the Pass, gone,” Landis Wilson told WFLA. “PCI’s gone.” “It just feels really different,” she…
·
-
Nearly six months after hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread destruction, five Parks and Recreation facilities across Tampa are on track to reopen by May. The storms left significant damage in their wake—submerged HVAC units, downed light poles, toppled fences, uprooted trees, and shingles torn from roofs. Among the affected sites, the DeSoto Community Center…
·
-
Tampa is introducing a fresh effort to revive its tree canopy, focusing on underserved areas. Dubbed “Plant Your Heart Out,” the initiative is a collaboration among the city, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Suncoast Credit Union, which contributed $50,000. It takes inspiration from Tampa’s “Paint Your Heart Out” program, where citizens, businesses, clubs, and groups…
·
-
Every year, thousands of families flock to Pinellas County’s beaches for spring break, making it the busiest season for local businesses. At Larry’s Ice Cream and Gelato, owner Alison Herman showcases an array of sweet treats, but business has been sluggish since hurricanes Helene and Milton hit. “Being closed for weeks took a big financial…
·
-
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,…
·
-
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…
·
-
What seemed like a negotiating tactic has become a reality: the Tampa Bay Rays have abandoned a $1.37 billion stadium deal in downtown St. Petersburg after years of talks. The team’s partner, Hines, has scrapped plans to convert Tropicana Field’s sprawling lots into a lively mixed-use area honoring the displaced Black community. Still, Rays owner…
·
-
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…
·
-
Treasure Island’s beach is primed for spring break, but the hurricanes’ aftermath lingers. Many hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops remain in shambles, still reeling from storms Helene and Milton. Jason Beisel, a city official, explains that a 10-foot storm surge engulfed the island, leaving no building unscathed. “Recovery isn’t quick—it could take years,” he says.…
·
-
St. Petersburg remains under a local state of emergency, even five months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, as Mayor Ken Welch’s declaration has been extended through June 30. This extension grants the mayor the authority to bypass typical city procedures when necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It also allows him to…
·
-
The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30, is predicted to be “near-average,” according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach. Forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather suggest a total of 12 named storms and five hurricanes this year. Klotzbach, an expert in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasting, noted…
·
-
Manatee County Commissioners have voted to demolish a 70-year-old bait and tackle shop in Cortez Village, paving the way for a new two-story shop and marina. Bruce Shearer, the owner of Annie’s Bait and Tackle, had hoped to save the building, believing it was still salvageable. However, the county, which recently acquired the property, decided…
·