Hurricane Helene

A Tampa Bay Times story shows that many people living in a flood zone were told they have to either rebuild their homes or raise them above the flood stage but were never given an inspection of the inside of their homes.

Pinellas County collected a record $8.3 million in bed taxes in January.

The county launched an online survey and will host a series of public meetings in April and May, according to a release. The money will support housing, businesses and infrastructure in areas hardest hit by 2023 and 2024 hurricanes.

The wide-ranging bill, HB 1535, looks to address hurricane-related issues from shelter regulations to directing how cranes are positioned when storms approach landfall.

The storms that wreaked havoc on the Tampa Bay area flooded buildings, submerged HVAC units, and downed light poles, trees, fences, signs and field backstops, and more.

Cedar Key's hotels, shops and restaurants continue working toward a full recovery following the devastation from Hurricane Helene last year.

The St. Petersburg City Council continues to question why some residents' water bills were as much as six times the normal amount following last year's hurricanes.

The beach and other parts of the park were closed after damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Many Pinellas County business owners and workers say they are ready to welcome snowbirds and vacation-seeking visitors. Changes in tourism trends in the state’s coastal playgrounds will be revealed in the coming months and years, especially during peak tourism season.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is borrowing $2 billion to pay National Flood Insurance Program claims. The agency said the two hurricanes as of Feb. 6 had led to more than 78,000 claims, with estimated losses possibly topping $10 billion.

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They include upgrading several water pump stations throughout the city, and putting generators at all the stations while switching to generator power for all the stations right before storms hit.