Tag: hurricanes
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The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began today, June 1, and while forecasters expect a quieter-than-average year, meteorologists are pointing to several areas where storms could still develop this month. The Gulf of Mexico is considered the most favorable area for tropical development in June, along with the northern Caribbean Sea and the southwestern Atlantic…
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Florida homeowners saw their insurance premiums climb at roughly twice the national pace between 2021 and 2025, according to a new report, with experts divided over the cause. The report, from the national nonprofit Coalition for an Insurable Future, found that homeowners’ insurance costs rose an average of 38 percent across the United States during…
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More than a year and a half after back-to-back hurricanes struck Tampa Bay—Helene and Milton—residents who opted into Elevate Florida continue to wait for federal approval. The program, administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), received over $400 million in federal funding, primarily through FEMA programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.…
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More than a year after back-to-back hurricanes struck the Tampa Bay area, homeowners lined up Monday outside the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library for Hillsborough County’s disaster-recovery intake session. The county’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program is helping residents determine whether they qualify for financial assistance, with some homeowners potentially eligible for up to $100,000 in home-repairs…
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Pinellas County commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Horne LLP to manage more than $813 million in federal hurricane recovery funds, despite concerns about the Mississippi-based consulting firm’s previous work. The county hired Horne to oversee the implementation and administration of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds awarded earlier this year to help residents…
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For decades, the Saffir-Simpson scale has ranked hurricanes only by wind speed, ranging from Category 1 to 5. But experts say that the system overlooks the deadliest threats: storm surge and flooding. University of South Florida geosciences professor Jennifer Collins, working with researchers from a university in the Netherlands, has helped design a new system…
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The creators of a new documentary say too many Tampa Bay homebuyers suffer from what they call “hurricane amnesia” — forgetting past storms when shopping for waterfront views and desirable neighborhoods. Filmmaker and former weatherman George Siegal hopes his film Built to Last, Buyer Beware pushes buyers to ask tougher questions about flood risks, storm…
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Tropical Storm Erin is expected to intensify into a hurricane within the next few days, the National Hurricane Center reported Tuesday. As of 11 a.m., Erin was about 820 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, moving west at 23 mph. Forecasters expect the storm’s rapid westward track to continue for several days before slowing…
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Tropical Storm Erin has developed in the eastern Atlantic, marking the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. With maximum sustained winds near 45 mph, Erin is moving west at 22 mph and is expected to intensify as it tracks west-northwest through favorable conditions. Forecasters anticipate it could become the season’s first hurricane…
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A 500-foot-long, nine-foot-tall AquaFence flood barrier has been installed around Lift Station 85 on the St. Petersburg bayfront, part of the city’s efforts to protect critical infrastructure from hurricane-driven storm surge. Located near Albert Whitted Airport, the station plays a vital role in the city’s wastewater system—collecting sewage and pumping it to the Southwest Sewer…
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As hurricane season ramps up, so does a push to provide safer, affordable housing for families in storm-prone communities. Habitat for Humanity has broken ground on Windhorst Commons, a new 23-home development in Brandon designed to withstand hurricanes and offer long-term security for families still recovering from disasters like Hurricane Milton. For future homeowner Michelle…
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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a small area of low pressure about 900 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles, which has shown increased signs of development. Forecasters say the system is moving west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph, with environmental conditions expected to support some additional development over the next day or so. However,…
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Florida homeowners continue to face some of the highest insurance premiums in the country—a reality driven by frequent hurricanes and rising litigation costs. But former state Sen. Jeff Brandes believes the tide may be turning. During a recent appearance on The Florida Roundup, Brandes, who now chairs a newly launched insurance company, said Florida’s property…
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The City of Tampa is holding its final two storm resiliency meetings this week, with events scheduled for Monday evening at Adum K-8 Magnet School in South Tampa and Tuesday at the TPD Rich House in Tampa Heights. These meetings offer residents updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce flooding during heavy rains and…
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Colorado State University has slightly lowered its hurricane season forecast but continues to project a busier-than-normal year for tropical activity. In its latest update released Wednesday, CSU’s tropical meteorology team now predicts 16 named storms for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, eight are expected to become hurricanes, with four likely to reach Category…
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Google recently launched its AI-powered Weather Lab, offering forecasters a new tool better to predict the path and strength of tropical cyclones. Traditional hurricane models rely on physics-based numerical weather prediction, which involves solving complex equations using supercomputers. These simulations can take hours to generate a single forecast. In contrast, AI models developed by Google…
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Sarasota County Commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on a $10 million investment aimed at overhauling the county’s aging stormwater infrastructure—a move spurred by the flooding impacts of last year’s hurricanes. For many residents, the vote can’t come soon enough. Some say they fear flooding every time it rains, and claim years have gone by…
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A major waterfront rebuild is set to begin in Safety Harbor, marking a significant step in the city’s recovery from the devastating hurricanes of last year. The Fire Marshal Dick Brock Memorial Pier—once a lively spot for fishing, sunset views, and community gatherings—was destroyed during the storms, leaving only its pilings behind. Beginning July 7,…
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Several Pinellas County communities are set to benefit from millions in state funding aimed at boosting hurricane recovery and long-term storm resiliency, thanks to allocations in Florida’s newly approved budget. State Sen. Nick DiCeglie played a key role in securing funding for infrastructure and recovery projects in areas hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton…
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Earlier this month, Google DeepMind and Google Labs unveiled a new AI-powered hurricane forecasting model — and they’re making bold claims about its performance. According to Google, this AI system delivers more accurate predictions than some of the world’s most trusted traditional models, both in terms of storm track and intensity. But how well do…
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Following the devastation left by hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida lawmakers have approved a sweeping legislative package aimed at preventing the debris removal chaos that overwhelmed communities across the state in 2024. In the wake of the storms, streets were lined for weeks with ruined furniture, tree limbs, and other debris. Landfills turned crews away,…
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Tropical Storm Andrea has officially formed in the Atlantic, marking the first named storm of the 2025 hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center reports that Andrea is expected to weaken and dissipate by Wednesday as it remains over open water. The system poses no threat to land, and no coastal watches or warnings have been…
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Hurricane Idalia rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 4 storm in under 24 hours before striking Florida’s Big Bend in August 2023—a phenomenon that’s becoming more common in the Gulf of America. Now, researchers at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus say freshwater from rivers may be playing a surprising…
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Pinellas County is reinforcing traffic signals ahead of hurricane season by replacing older span wire systems with stronger mast arms at key intersections. Crews are currently working at 30 intersections across the county to complete the upgrades. Unlike span wires that can twist and fail in high winds, mast arms offer a sturdier, more storm-resistant…
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Coastal communities across Tampa Bay — particularly in places like Treasure Island — are battling a surge in mosquitoes this summer, and experts say recent hurricanes are to blame. Flooding and debris left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, with more than 40 species now buzzing through the…
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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, and early forecasts suggest it could be another above-average year for storm activity — much like the hyperactive 2024 season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its annual outlook the end of May, predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of…
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Following a devastating hurricane season that battered Pinellas County’s shoreline, officials have approved a $125 million initiative to rebuild and strengthen coastal sand dunes—natural defenses that help protect against storm surge, erosion, and flooding. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the restoration project, awarding the contract to Weeks Marine, Inc., a firm with extensive…
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The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved a sweeping $159.8 million federal disaster recovery plan to help the city rebuild from the devastating 2024 hurricane season. The vote came June 12 after a thorough discussion and public hearing on the “Sunrise St. Pete” initiative, which aims to address $1.68 billion in unmet storm-related needs.…
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The St. Petersburg City Council has officially approved a six-year, $159.9 million disaster recovery plan aimed at helping residents rebuild and fortify their homes after recent hurricanes. “This plan does two major things,” said Council Chair Copley Gerdes. “It injects funding directly into single-family and multifamily homes for mitigation, resiliency, and even reimbursement for storm-related…
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When Hurricane Helene tore through Hudson, Florida last year, Steve Papola’s home was no match for the floodwaters. Seven feet of storm surge devastated the property—warping wood floors, soaking drywall, and frying the electrical system. Determined not to relive the destruction, Papola is now rebuilding with resilience in mind. Helene became the deadliest U.S. hurricane…
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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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Hillsborough County is asking residents to weigh in on how to spend more than $700 million in federal hurricane recovery funds. The county expects to receive $709,324,000 through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding is aimed at long-term recovery and mitigation…
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Recovery efforts continue in Treasure Island following last year’s damaging storms—and for many local businesses, the lingering effects are hitting hard. Several major hotels remain closed or are only partially operational. The iconic Thunderbird Hotel, for example, is still shut down and undergoing a full rebuild. As a result, some business owners say they’re seeing…
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Pinellas County leaders are reviewing a comprehensive 60-page report detailing lessons learned from the 2024 hurricane season in a push to strengthen emergency response and readiness ahead of future storms. “What we faced last year was unprecedented,” said County Administrator Barry Burton. The report outlines the impact of each storm, highlights successful strategies, and identifies…
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Hillsborough County officials are inviting residents to weigh in on how to use more than $700 million in federal hurricane recovery funding. The county expects to receive $709 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to support long-term recovery from hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton. At least 70% of the funds…
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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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As hurricane season kicks off this weekend, Pinellas County, in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, hosted a free Hurricane Preparedness Expo to help residents get ready for the months ahead. The event offered a hands-on learning experience, connecting attendees with emergency experts and resources to better prepare themselves, their families, and their homes…
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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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With hurricane season set to begin on Sunday, Florida has yet to schedule any disaster preparedness sales tax holidays due to ongoing delays in finalizing the state budget. Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking in Jupiter on Friday, emphasized the importance of readiness and expressed confidence that the tax holidays—allowing residents to purchase hurricane supplies without paying…
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Business owners recovering from hurricane damage are rebuilding with resilience in mind. At local favorite Ricky T’s, a hugely popular destination in Treasure Island, staff members are celebrating the completion of renovations designed to withstand future storms. Owner Brad Piche prioritized hurricane-proofing the restaurant, a beloved local fixture for decades. To enhance durability, the restaurant’s…
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With forecasters predicting an above-average hurricane season, utility provider Duke Energy Florida is offering a rare glimpse inside its high-tech Distribution Control Center in St. Petersburg — the hub responsible for managing power outages and restoring service when major storms hit. This state-of-the-art facility operates around the clock, monitoring the electrical grid in real time…
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With hurricane season just days away and federal forecasters predicting another above-average year, Florida lawmakers have passed a sweeping new bill aimed at improving disaster recovery efforts statewide. However, some officials warn the measure could actually hinder local resiliency planning. The legislation, Senate Bill 180, is designed to support rebuilding efforts after major storms and…
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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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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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