Tag: hurricanes
-
St. Pete Beach city commissioners were taken aback by the revelation of significant budgetary shortfalls in the wastewater, reclaimed water, and stormwater funds, which will require the city to find millions of dollars. Interim Public Works Director Camden Mills presented a grim overview of the Enterprise Funds, leaving Mayor Adrian Petrila “livid” that former city…
·
-
The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria has resumed operations after a closure initiated by Hurricane Helene. “I was more devastated for the family and friends dealing with this ordeal. It’s been tough, and many of us were in shock,” shared waitress Noel Burke, who has served at the restaurant for over six years and started…
·
-
Pinellas County’s tourism industry demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2024, welcoming 15.4 million visitors and generating $11.2 billion in revenue despite facing significant weather challenges. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater reports that the destination recorded 4 million visitors and 4 million hotel room nights booked throughout the year. “St. Pete-Clearwater proved that it is one of the top…
·
-
Many homeowners in the Tampa Bay area are still displaced following recent hurricanes, stuck in a frustrating wait for property appraisals on their damaged homes. For those who’ve gotten their assessments, the outcome is often disappointing, with valuations coming in far lower than expected, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Jeff Fuller, a homeowner…
·
-
A new system to improve the way Floridians are alerted to natural disasters – such as hurricanes – was launched today. Known as BEACON, this innovative technology delivers safety alerts and emergency information from official government sources directly to the public in their native languages. BEACON utilizes data from state agencies and emergency managers to…
·
-
The combined impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has inflicted an estimated $136 million in damages across Pinellas County, according to local officials. This figure is expected to rise as detailed assessments continue. More than two months after the devastating storms, thousands of residents remain displaced, awaiting final damage evaluations and approval for rebuilding. Pinellas…
·
-
The Florida Division of Emergency Management or FDEM proudly introduces Florida’s inaugural Statewide Residential Mitigation Program, Elevate Florida. This initiative aims to bolster community resilience by protecting private residences from natural hazards. Eligible Project Types The following project types are eligible under the Statewide Residential Mitigation Program: Next Steps Details on how and when to…
·
-
On Thursday, state regulators approved a plan to increase base electric rates for Tampa Electric Co. customers, totaling $184.9 million next year. The Florida Public Service Commission approved the rate hikes, which will take effect in January, with minimal discussion. Chairman Mike La Rosa noted that the decision was largely a result of underlying decisions…
·
-
Residents of Treasure Island filled a town hall meeting Wednesday night, expressing their frustration over the delays in returning to their homes since Hurricane Helene struck in September. Many attendees voiced their concerns about the slow issuance of substantial damage letters and repair permits. “This is completely unacceptable that 90 days after the hurricanes, we’re…
·
-
Davis Islands, which suffered significant storm surge damage from Hurricane Helene, is slowly but surely returning to normalcy. Island Pizza, owned by John Harr, resumed operations shortly after the hurricanes passed. Harr, a local businessman for 15 years, has owned the pizzeria for the past 12 years. “The people here are super nice. It’s its…
·
-
Numerous families in the Tampa Bay region are experiencing significant delays in returning to their residences post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton, caught between waiting for permits and grappling with a scarcity of rebuilding supplies. The demand has left contractors scrambling for basic construction materials such as drywall, paint, and framing supplies. “We’re forced to visit multiple…
·
-
Ft. DeSoto Park, a cherished recreational spot for many, faces an uncertain future despite significant efforts to restore it after severe damage from recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The park has already seen $12 million invested in tree removal alone, yet challenges remain as it strives to return to normalcy, one county employee, familiar with…
·
-
Residents of Largo, who were flooded out during recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, are set to voice their concerns to city leaders later today. Some homeowners claim that the city’s actions have led to their properties being flooded. Felicia Ogilby, a 19-year resident of the McKay Creek neighborhood, described the devastation: “Everybody lost everything. You…
·
-
Hillsborough County has extended the local state of emergency initially declared after Hurricane Milton. On Sunday, County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order to prolong the state of local emergency. This emergency declaration empowers the County Administrator and emergency managers to swiftly take necessary actions to ensure the community’s health, safety, and welfare. It…
·
-
St. Pete’s Hometown Recovery Haulers made significant strides in clearing the city’s massive debris from recent storms. Participants noted the program’s impact went far beyond just cleaning up after the hurricanes. This short-term initiative involved 100 local business owners and residents who collected storm debris throughout St. Pete. Beyond cleaning up, the program aimed to…
·
-
If you’re feeling frustrated waiting to repair your home after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, you’re not alone. Many are still in limbo, waiting for permits to begin their home repairs and return to normalcy. State Representative Linda Chaney, a resident of St. Pete Beach, warns that starting repairs without the proper permits can have serious…
·
-
Homeowners in St. Pete Beach are experiencing prolonged frustration as they attempt to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with permit processing creating significant roadblocks to recovery. Doug Engle, a four-and-a-half-year resident, has been living in a trailer on his property since a storm surge destroyed his home’s interior. His house remains…
·
-
As the Tampa Bay area works to recover from this year’s historic hurricane season, many homeowners are opting to sell their damaged properties “as is” rather than rebuild. This trend has caught the attention of large investors, who are snapping up these homes in increasing numbers. RELATED: Desperate Floridians Sell Gutted, Storm-Damaged Homes Instead of…
·
-
For Jesse Waltrip and his family in Zephyrhills, Florida, life after Hurricane Milton has been a relentless struggle. Months after the devastating storm, they find themselves living in tents on their front lawn, awaiting help from FEMA that seems endlessly delayed. “It’s hard to hold on to hope when you’re camping outside in the cold,”…
·
-
Pinellas County has announced an extension to the application deadline for emergency storm repairs to docks and seawalls damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The new deadline is February 10, 2025. Residents and business owners affected by these hurricanes now have additional time to request applications and complete necessary repairs to their waterfront structures.…
·
-
Residents of the Lantern Travel Park in Hudson in the Tampa Bay area are confronting a dire situation after more than two months without electricity, compounded by potential eviction threats from their landlord. The property management is demanding residents make specific repairs to meet county safety guidelines, conditioning lease renewals on compliance with these requirements.…
·
-
Despite some stabilization in Florida’s volatile property insurance market, homeowners and condo owners are still grappling with some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. An emerging trend sees more individuals choosing to “go bare” by opting out of traditional home insurance in favor of self-insuring, a move that experts view with significant concern.…
·
-
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread and costly destruction. So, representative Linda Chaney (R.) from St. Pete Beach is pushing for legislative changes to adjust aspects of FEMA’s 50% rule, aiming to facilitate recovery for homeowners. Chaney represents an area where many residents experienced significant damage from the consecutive October storms. Her proposed bill seeks…
·
-
As the Tampa Bay area continues its rebuilding efforts, the permitting process has become a challenging part of the journey for everyone involved—from residents eager to return to their homes to city officials overwhelmed with thousands of applications. In St. Petersburg, some residents have experienced long wait times for permit approval. “[Residents are] frustrated with…
·
-
St. Petersburg has made significant progress in clearing debris from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, collecting an unprecedented 1,844,137 cubic yards of vegetative and construction debris as of December 9. Mayor Ken Welch anticipates the total will exceed 2 million cubic yards, surpassing the debris volumes from Hurricanes Idalla, Ian, and Irma combined. To put the…
·
-
The Seminole City Council finalized an ordinance on December 3 to reduce permit and plan review fees for residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City Manager Ann Toney-Deal confirmed that the fee reductions would remain in effect until January 13, 2025. Although an earlier proposal suggested December 31, 2024, as the end date, the…
·
-
In the midst of the busiest time of year for the United States Postal Service, over half a dozen post offices in the Tampa Bay area remain closed due to damage from consecutive hurricanes. Customers are growing frustrated with the lack of a clear timeline for reopening. Jim Reatherford, a long-time user of a P.O.…
·
-
The car insurance sector is bracing for multibillion-dollar losses due to vehicle damage from recent hurricanes, which could push up insurance rates next year. Eva Kelly-Cubells experienced firsthand the chaos caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as her 2016 Chevy Cruze, along with many others, was submerged. The 86-year-old from Punta Gorda, along with her…
·
-
Homeowners and businesses alike in Tampa’s most vulnerable flood zones are facing a difficult reality after recent hurricanes: they may be required to completely rebuild or substantially modify their properties to meet new flood mitigation standards. The City of Tampa is sending over 1,900 letters to property owners in high-risk areas, including Davis Islands, Palmetto Beach, and…
·
-
Two months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc across Tampa Bay, the cleanup and recovery efforts remain in their early stages. As some homeowners decide to sell their storm-damaged properties as-is, prospective buyers are being urged to approach such deals with caution. Bay Area realtor Ashley Stout-Fuchs stresses the importance of verifying a property’s…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest water sampling reveals the region’s red tide continuing to move southward in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Experts suggest seasonal weather conditions largely influence the shifting pattern. Professor emeritus Bob Weisberg from the University of South Florida, a leading researcher in red tide dynamics, explains…
·
-
Sarasota County officials report that crews have collected over 2 million cubic yards of debris from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and are on track to finish by January 11. As recovery operations continue in Sarasota County, officials are working diligently to meet their debris collection deadline, hiring additional contractors to expedite the process. Despite significant…
·
-
Residents of Zephyrhills are preparing to take legal action against their county, alleging mismanagement of water resources and development that has led to significant property damage. Robert Woods, a local property owner, claims he has suffered nearly $60,000 in flood-related damages and believes the county’s water management practices are directly responsible. Woods points to a…
·
-
When Jeff and Jennifer Cayer deck out their Lakeland home for the holidays, they typically keep it understated. “We usually go for simple white lights on the front of the house,” Jeff explained to Patch. “We’re very subtle… and generally extremely conservative with our lighting.” However, after Hurricane Milton severely damaged their home in October,…
·
-
For Pinellas residents trying to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, navigating the permitting process has been a confusing and time-consuming ordeal. One of the biggest hurdles is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “50% rule,” which mandates that any home requiring repairs or renovations exceeding half of its value must be…
·
-
Homeowners across Tampa Bay, especially those living on Pinellas County beaches, are becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They find themselves unable to start rebuilding their homes due to lengthy waits for permits. “They want to make sure everybody does things the right way, and I’m in full agreement with that,…
·
-
Two months after Hurricane Milton devastated the Tampa Bay area, many residents of St. Pete Beach are still struggling to rebuild due to delays in obtaining necessary repair permits from the city. Property Owners Left in Limbo Robinson Ang, a local property owner, has been waiting for over six weeks to secure a permit to…
·
-
Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Seminole has successfully cleared most debris but acknowledges that significant reconstruction work remains. The local building and permit office has experienced a surge in applications for repair permits. According to Assistant City Manager Vince Tenaglia, Seminole is now offering a $50 reduction on the base fee for…
·
-
Hillsborough County residents with lingering storm debris must have it curbside by today, Monday, Dec. 9, as crews prepare to make their final collection pass. The county’s last round of hurricane debris pickup will begin that day, targeting both construction and demolition debris as well as yard waste. Residents are asked to separate these materials…
·
-
The Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island is currently fully occupied by local storm evacuees, with rooms paid for by FEMA. General manager Clyde Smith explained that the resort is providing temporary housing for residents from nearby beach communities who were displaced by Hurricane Helene. Bobby Smith, a 63-year-old evacuee from St. Pete Beach, shared…
·
-
Lake Seminole Park, located in Seminole, Florida, is a 258-acre wildlife habitat and sanctuary. Originally a tidal estuary, the lake was created in the 1940s by closing the upper portion of Long Bayou. This transformation turned it into a freshwater lake, making it the second-largest lake in Pinellas County. Over the years, Lake Seminole Park…
·
-
A St. Petersburg couple is demanding answers after receiving an unexpectedly high water bill, even though they were displaced during the recent hurricanes. Melanie Scheiderman said she and her husband, Richard, were away from their rental home for more than two weeks during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Yet, they were hit with a $1,147 water…
·
-
Homeowners often face the daunting task of repairing damaged properties after suffering natural disasters like hurricanes. One tool that can help expedite this process is the minimal repair permit. This permit allows property owners to make essential repairs to make their homes temporarily habitable while awaiting a full assessment of the damage. What is a…
·
-
Residents of several communities say that being without power since Hurricane Helene struck two months ago was inconvenient at first. However, now that temperatures are dipping into the 50s and 40s, they say the situation has become dire as they continue to await power restoration. At some properties, the delay in restoring power involves replacing…
·