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2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
St. Pete approves projects to make sewer system more resilient
The Brief City leaders gave the greenlight for critical infrastructure improvements after Hurricanes Helene and Milton exposed dangerous weaknesses in the sewage system. The City Council signed off on several infrastructure projects — including replacing the 10-year-old pumps at Lift Station 85. The move comes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton overwhelmed the city's aging wastewater system, leading to widespread overflows. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - City leaders gave the greenlight for critical infrastructure improvements after Hurricanes Helene and Milton exposed dangerous weaknesses in the sewage system. After back-to-back hurricanes dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage into St. Pete's waterways — and into some residents' homes — the city council has approved a series of major infrastructure upgrades aimed at preventing similar disasters in the future. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view The move comes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton overwhelmed the city's aging wastewater system, leading to widespread overflows, including 5.9 million gallons of sewage pouring from 55 manholes during Milton alone. "There's no words," said Pamela Blome, a local homeowner whose house was flooded with sewage. "The last time I was in here, it smelled like sewage. All the walls were torn out, and I still remember seeing the black mold." Blome is one of thousands who suffered sewage damage. READ: Lake Bonny residents brace for new hurricane season after Milton's devastating flooding "The smell was horrendous, and literally everything had to be thrown out because of E. coli," she added. "We couldn't save anything." On Thursday, the City Council signed off on several infrastructure projects — including replacing the 10-year-old pumps at Lift Station 85, the city's largest and busiest sewage pump station located downtown. Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley said the station's pumps have become less efficient over time due to nonstop use. "These pumps are always running," Tankersley explained. "Over time they have become less efficient." Along with new pumps, the city is also installing an AquaFence flood barrier at Lift Station 85 — a modular system designed to protect critical infrastructure from storm surge. Inspired by a similar system used at Tampa General Hospital, the barrier is expected to arrive this month. MORE: Tampa Bay residents learn DIY ways to keep floodwaters out this hurricane season "The water holds the wall up," explained Dustin Pasteur, the vice president of facilities at Tampa General. "It's the weight of the water that actually supports it. And we bolt it into the ground to keep the wind from blowing it over before the water gets here." What's next Council also approved an additional $1 million investment in sewer pipe lining upgrades to help reduce inflow and overflows during major rain events. The improvements are aimed at increasing the city's resiliency as climate-related weather events become more intense and frequent. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch called the latest upgrades just one piece of a larger puzzle. Over the past nine years, St. Pete has poured nearly $1 billion into infrastructure improvements — and more investments are expected in the coming years. "We're not just reacting — we're planning for the future," Welch said. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hurricane Helene victim gets new home thanks to the organization 'Operation Blessing'
The Brief A recent Hurricane Helene victim got a new home thanks to the organization 'Operation Blessing'. Pamela Blome has spent the last few months volunteering in the devastated areas of North Carolina serving meals to first responders. The organization 'Operation Blessing' has been rebuilding her home. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - A hurricane victim got the surprise of a lifetime Saturday. Pamela Blome's home was destroyed during Hurricane Helene after taking on several feet of water. Despite the loss, she spent the last few months volunteering in the devastated areas of North Carolina serving meals to first responders all while the organization 'Operation Blessing' has been rebuilding her home. She couldn't believe her eyes as she got a peek at her new home for the very first time. "There's no words. It's just it's so fresh and clean and the last time I was in here it smelled like sewage. All the walls were tore out and I still remember seeing the black mold," Blome said. Photo show what her home looked like after Hurricane Helene when 3 feet of water got inside. Now after months of work and repairs by the organization Operation Blessing she can now move back in. READ: 250 St. Pete seniors remain displaced two months after apartment building evacuated What they're saying "Pamela's actually been in the field with us the last five and a half months, cooking for victims of Hurricane Helene while we've been here rebuilding her house," Operation Blessing Chief Operating Officer Drew Friedrich said. After the storm, she went to North Carolina and cooked meals for first responders for several months so Operation Blessing wanted to return the favor and help one of their own. "I have worked with Operation Blessing for seven years now and I just I always say that I don't feed people's stomach. I like to feed their soul. I just love watching people eat my food," Blome said. A team of 10 volunteers and local contractors helped bring her home back to life gutting roughly 70 percent of the inside. They rewired the electrical system and replaced all lights, the floors and the doors restoring it back a livable space. "When our teams go in we bring help and hope to people who are really, really hurting. Our donors, our supporters, our volunteers allow us to show up and really make a difference in the lives of those who've been through a ton and we're so grateful for the chance to serve Pamela," Friedrich said. Blome says she will be forever grateful for Operation Blessing. "It's just awesome to have great friends and family," Blome said. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jordan Bowen. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
