Tag: Hurricane Milton
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As spring break nears, several major beach parking lots remain closed. Visitors hoping to park at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island sections report difficulties finding available spots due to the closure of large lots. With improving weather drawing more visitors to southwest Florida, securing beach parking is becoming increasingly challenging. In regions hit hard by…
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Some St. Petersburg residents have reported unusually high water bills that are more than double their typical amount. Last week, the city council accelerated discussions on the issue, scheduling it for further examination on Feb. 20. If you’ve received a significantly high water bill, you’re not alone. Residents’ Complaints Many residents have reached out to…
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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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At a special meeting on Feb. 7, Treasure Island commissioners unanimously approved extending a temporary waiver of permit fees for specific storm-related repairs. However, many residents will need to wait for further discussion in a work session and another regular hearing to see if relief will be expanded to include more costly permits for raising…
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Pinellas County officials are making a fresh attempt to secure easements for critical beach renourishment projects, following devastating damage from two Category 3 hurricanes last fall. The situation has become increasingly urgent after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the area in September, effectively erasing previous shoreline restoration efforts. The county’s coastline was already facing severe…
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management is currently evaluating the flooding situation in Pasco County, a persistent issue for families since Hurricane Milton struck four months ago. State Senator Danny Burgess, R-Pasco County, informed WTVT that the Division recently visited the Hickory Hills neighborhood in Dade City, where numerous homeowners are still grappling with flooding.…
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Pinellas County has been awarded $512,36 in federal funds to rapidly rehouse residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. County commissioners will now approve grant recipients to prevent potential controversies. Initially, staff intended to rank and award applicants without commission oversight. However, Commissioner Vince Nowicki raised concerns about the Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) of Pinellas…
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The Sandcastle Resort, a beloved landmark on Lido Beach, will soon be demolished following extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While the owner had previously planned to redevelop the property, the severe storm damage has accelerated the timeline for demolition. For many visitors, the news marks the end of an era. Among them are…
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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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St. Petersburg officials have pledged not to cut off water service or impose additional late fees on residents hit with unexpectedly high utility bills following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. During a tense meeting Thursday, city council members pressed administrators for answers but received little clarity on how many customers were affected or why bills had…
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The beloved Citrus County beach remains closed months after Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage. Storm surge wiped out the small beach and its facilities, prompting a major restoration effort to make the area accessible again for residents and visitors. “This is one of the few places where you can spend time right on the Gulf,”…
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Florida’s agricultural community will soon have access to more state financial assistance for recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s devastating impact. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the expansion of the state’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program during a recent meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The program will offer interest-free…
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Thousands of homeowners in St. Petersburg are dealing with pending code violation cases, which the city says are not violations yet. The city initiated these cases to ensure that permits for storm damage repairs are in place, that proper inspections occur, and to safeguard potential buyers of homes affected by hurricanes, according to city spokesperson…
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The Funky Flamingo, a Gulfport-based store offering produce, deli items, and more, is urgently requesting food donations to support families displaced by last year’s hurricanes. Approximately two years ago, the store’s owners established a food pantry to aid the community following the closure of several other pantries. Recent hurricanes have shifted the pantry’s focus from…
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Late last year, Florida was battered by not one but two highly destructive hurricanes, Helene and Milton, within a short span, leading to a cascade of damages and financial losses across various sectors, including a notable impact on Disney’s operations. Overview of Hurricanes Helene and Milton Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region…
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The Tampa City Council has unanimously approved $3.2 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) funds to aid homeowners affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This funding will help residents with mortgage payments, home repairs, and insurance deductible costs. Relief Package Details Supporting Homeowners “We have to remember that some residents are still displaced,…
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City documents reveal that repair costs for Tropicana Field are exceeding initial estimates. On Thursday, St. Petersburg City Council members will consider approving a cost adjustment of approximately $55,000 for the field’s roof demolition services. According to a change order form from Global Rope Access—a construction firm specializing in unique repair projects—the increase is due…
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Lorraine Anderson, a spokesperson for the City of Venice, has stated that although some progress has been made, the South Jetty’s recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be a prolonged effort. The city’s insurance contractor has finished demolishing and clearing the debris of the concession building at Humphris Park on…
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Employees at two popular Gulf Boulevard hotels are facing an even longer wait to return to work than expected. The Bellwether Beach Resort and The Beachcomber, both severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, are now projected to remain closed until summer. “It’s pretty devastating,” said Bill Pruitt, a longtime bartender at Jimmy B’s, the Beachcomber’s bar,…
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On Tuesday, citrus growers appealed to state lawmakers to continue funding research and advertising as the industry’s production has plummeted by over 90% in less than thirty years. Without this support, many of the 1,500 remaining citrus growers in Florida may abandon the industry. During a session with the Senate Agriculture Committee, Matt Joyner, CEO…
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On Tuesday, a cherished restaurant in Cortez Village welcomed customers back after being closed for four months due to the onslaught of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Slicker’s Eatery, which opened during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, has weathered numerous challenges, including red tide and now these recent hurricanes. “The first storm brought three feet…
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Residents of Tampa Heights are voicing their frustration after receiving code violation notices from the city regarding damage to their homes caused by recent storms. Mary Wynn discovered a violation notice on her property Tuesday afternoon, stating that an inspection conducted on February 3, 2025, found necessary repairs to her floors, walls, ceilings, and roof…
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In an effort to mitigate the impact on Tampa Electric Co. customers, state regulators on Tuesday approved plans for Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida to recover more than $1.55 billion for hurricane-related expenses and to refill storm reserves. Starting in March, customers of both utilities will face higher bills as Tampa Electric and Duke…
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As many Bay Area beach communities race to rebuild ahead of the lucrative spring break season, two well-known St. Pete Beach hotels have announced they will remain closed until summer, dealing a blow to both workers and tourists. The Bellwether Beach Resort and The Beachcomber—home to the popular Jimmy B’s Beach Bar—will not reopen until…
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Hillsborough County is offering a course on hurricane preparedness for homeowners. It’s only been a few months since the Bay Area endured the wrath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage to Florida’s trees. Although the 2025 hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June, now is the ideal time to assess the…
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The Public Service Commission is scheduled to vote today regarding rate increases for Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Duke Energy. On December 27, 2024, both TECO and Duke Energy submitted a petition for a limited proceeding, seeking approval to implement an interim storm restoration recovery charge. Reports indicate that TECO aims to recover $463.6 million…
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A massive red tide bloom, stretching over 200 miles from Tampa Bay to Key West, has moved ashore along much of Southwest Florida’s coastline. The concentration of Karenia brevis, the organism responsible for red tide, varies across the region—weak in some areas but dense enough in others to stain the blue-green waters a burnt orange…
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Leaders from the Barrier Islands have reached out to President Donald Trump for assistance in the wake of two devastating hurricanes: Helene and Milton. They are collectively drafting a letter to support their communities’ recovery efforts. “It’s been an incredibly tough four months,” said St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila. Mayor Petrila noted that over…
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Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg are set to receive a combined $973.7 million in federal storm recovery funding, contingent on meeting strict criteria and a tight deadline. On January 27, St. Petersburg issued a request for proposals (RFP) to companies with the expertise to develop and write a Community Development Block Grant…
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If you’ve never visited Cedar Key, Florida, you’re missing out on one of the state’s most breathtaking coastal spots. Surrounded by sandbars and towering mangroves, its waterways are a true natural gem. However, in recent years, hurricanes have devastated this small community and the aquaculture farms in the Gulf of Mexico. Now, a major cleanup…
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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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As businesses along the beaches of Treasure Island begin to reopen following the devastating hurricanes, the community is organizing events to draw people back to the area. The “Back to the Beach: Sand & Kites & Coastal Delights” festival has been announced, set for March 8th and 9th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each…
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The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been forced to furlough staff and cut salaries following significant hurricane damage. CEO Joe Handy explained that the drastic cost-cutting measures stem from the low attendance numbers caused by last year’s storms, which heavily impacted the nonprofit’s primary revenue source: ticket sales. If you’re a Tampa Bay resident, you’ve likely…
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This week, the City of Treasure Island is diligently working to clear a backlog of approximately 320 permits before transitioning to a new system during the first week of February. To focus on this task, the City’s Community Development Department will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Currently, over…
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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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After four months of reconstruction, the Coquina Beach Cafe has reopened its doors in Manatee County. The reopening this weekend was a heartfelt moment for many, as diners said it felt like reuniting with an old friend after last year’s hurricane damage. “We’ve waited for this for so long, and it’s so great to see…
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded more than $800 million to Pinellas County for long-term hurricane recovery efforts. This federal grant is aimed at enhancing prolonged hurricane resilience and addressing the unmet needs of residents. St. Petersburg, within Pinellas County, was also granted $159.9 million, making it the only city…
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Signs are already on the horizon and pointing to an unsettling reality. As unpleasant as it may be to think about, Tampa Bay residents are indeed facing the prospect of higher auto and homeowners insurance rates in 2025 due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why auto insurance…
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