Latest news with #hurricaneRecovery
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Pete residents struggle to rebuild ahead of hurricane season as HUD funding plans take shape
The Brief St. Petersburg has earmarked $5 million to buy homes in high-risk flood zones. It comes as many residents are still picking up the pieces after Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. Residents can still provide input on how HUD funds should be spent. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As hurricane season nears, many St. Petersburg residents are still picking up the pieces after Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. In flood-prone neighborhoods like Shore Acres and Riviera Bay, the rebuilding process remains a daily challenge. Local perspective Tammy Marshall has been living in a camper outside her home for nine months, trying to restore what the storm damaged. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "I just want to put my house back together," she said. "It feels like no one is on my side." Marshall attended public meetings to weigh in on how the city should spend $180 million in federal HUD recovery funds. She's exhausted her savings and is now turning to the city for help. But, Marshall doesn't want to leave. RELATED:St. Pete unveils $159.8M 'Sunrise' plan for hurricane recovery and resilience "I like my little paradise… If the city makes it so hard to rebuild, it doesn't show appreciation," she said. Big picture view St. Petersburg has earmarked $5 million to buy homes in high-risk flood zones. The buyouts would be voluntary, capped at $400,000, and the land must remain open space. What they're saying Kevin Batdorf, the president of the Shore Acres Civic Association, said the buyout plan isn't practical for his neighborhood, which was among the hardest hit. "We'd have pockets of vacant lots. Who's going to maintain that? The city?" he asked. READ: Hurricane Season 2025: Pinellas officials urge boaters to be prepared Batdorf hopes more residents will qualify for the city's $47 million fund to elevate and rehab homes, but he's worried the income restrictions tied to HUD funding will exclude many. "This is a working-class neighborhood," he said. "I suspect most won't qualify." For both Marshall and Batdorf, fixing the root of the problem — the city's storm and sewage infrastructure — is the top priority. "Stop the flooding, and you stop making people homeless," Batdorf said. "2,200 families were instantly displaced." Marshall agrees, and she said the city's backed-up sewage plant caused the flooding in her home. MORE:Memorial Day weekend proves Pinellas beaches have bounced back after Hurricanes Helene, Milton "I voted that as my number one priority," she said. What's next Residents can still provide input on how HUD funds should be spent. Feedback is being accepted online and at the upcoming City Council meeting on June 12. 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
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Treasure Island businesses gear up for busy Memorial Day weekend following devastating hurricanes
The Brief Treasure Island businesses are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend following last year's devastating hurricane season. Parking lots on Treasure Island were filled with guests and out-of-town cars from near and far Friday afternoon. It comes as signs of the recovery process are still visible after last year's hurricane season. TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Businesses on Treasure Island are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend following last year's devastating hurricane season. Local perspective "It's exciting," Bilmar Beach Resort General Manager Clyde Smith told FOX 13 of the holiday. "This weekend is going to be fantastic." RELATED: Amid damage to hotels and restaurants, employees hope to return to work after Hurricane Helene Business at the beach hotel – and its adjoining restaurant, Sloppy Joe's – was in full swing Friday. "If you look out to the beach area, that's normal," Smith said. "The waves are rolling in. The cabanas are up. Our bicycles are out there." Parking lots on Treasure Island were filled with guests and out-of-town cars from near and far Friday afternoon. But just seven months ago, those same spots were overflowing with damaged furniture, a sign of the devastation caused by the hurricanes. PREVIOUS:Treasure Island's iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort announces total teardown after hurricanes The backstory Smith remembers like it was just yesterday: The Bilmar Beach Resort suffered significant damage to its first floor rooms. "Well, I've never been through anything – in 47 years in the industry – like what happened last year," Smith added. Dig deeper Fast forward to Memorial Day weekend and there are still signs of the recovery process: The historic Thunderbird Beach Resort recently announced they're tearing everything down to start from scratch. The family-owned Roth Hotel finally reopened their doors earlier this week. READ: Family owned hotel in Sunset Beach reopens 8 months after Hurricane Helene: 'The place was decimated' And while first-floor renovations continue at the Bilmar – guests will notice the hotel's front desk is currently in the lobby of Sloppy Joe's – Smith said they're in great shape for the holiday weekend. "We actually had a lot of rooms available just 10 days ago, and we're going to sell out tonight. So we're excited with that," Smith told FOX 13. "We are still doing some recovery from the storm – just our first floors – but all our pools and our amenities are all open. So things are going well on the beaches." Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia. 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
