In a proactive and multifaceted forum focused on hurricane recovery and rebuilding initiatives, residents of St. Petersburg convened to interact with key stakeholders, including city officials, representatives from state and federal agencies, as well as community organizations committed to local progress. The meeting, held on November 13, aimed to elucidate the array of assistance programs, the permitting procedures, and the formulation of long-term resilience strategies following the extraordinary devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton earlier this year.
Mayor Ken Welch inaugurated the forum with a sober acknowledgment of the unprecedented severity of the storms, which unleashed record-breaking storm surges, torrential rainfall, and powerful winds. He reinforced the city’s unwavering commitment to a sustainable recovery, noting the significant dual challenges presented by Helene’s destructive coastal flooding and Milton’s extreme wind and rainfall patterns.
- Helene: Produced a staggering storm surge of 7.1 feet (NAVD), shattering previous records and marking the highest levels recorded in St. Petersburg’s history. Thousands of homes faced inundation, many of which had never previously experienced flooding, underscoring the storm’s unprecedented impact on the community.
- Milton: Delivered an astonishing 18 inches of rain within just a single day, obliterating previous rainfall records and leading to widespread freshwater flooding, significant property damage, and prolonged power outages across the region.
Amber Bolding, the city’s emergency management manager, characterized the two hurricanes as a significant “one-two punch,” stressing that their impacts were particularly exacerbated by their occurrence within a short timeframe of just weeks apart.
Recovery Assistance Overview
During the forum, representatives from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and local officials elaborated on the extensive resources and assistance available to residents affected by the hurricanes.
FEMA Individual Assistance
- Hurricane Helene: The deadline for applications is November 27, 2024.
- Hurricane Milton: The deadline for applications is December 11, 2024.
In addition to individual assistance, FEMA also extends vital services such as crisis counseling, disaster unemployment benefits, and legal assistance to support residents during this challenging time.
SBA Disaster Loans
Julie Garrett from the SBA clarified that both homeowners and renters can apply for low-interest loans designed to cover uncompensated losses stemming from the hurricanes, with repayment terms extending up to 30 years. Additionally, these loans may be utilized for critical mitigation efforts, such as elevating homes or installing sump pumps to bolster protection against future flooding. Businesses and nonprofits impacted by the storms may apply for loans of up to $2 million for both physical and economic damage incurred.
Local Support
The City of St. Petersburg is taking proactive measures by waiving permitting fees for disaster repairs through March 27, 2025. Residents impacted by the hurricanes can apply for state-funded grants of up to $8,000 along with loans that could reach up to $100,000, contingent upon legislative approval.
Permitting and Compliance
St. Petersburg’s Floodplain Manager, Hannah Rebholz, addressed the essential enforcement of the 49% rule, which mandates that properties suffering substantial damage or improvements must comply with existing floodplain regulations. Important directives included:
- Permits are mandated for all types of repairs, including those deemed as emergency repairs.
- The city evaluates each repair permit on its own merits without retroactively considering prior permits.
- A prioritized post-disaster system has been instituted to facilitate an expedited permitting process, aiming for a one-week turnaround time.
Residents were strongly encouraged to pull permits as soon as possible, as noncompliance with permitting requirements could lead to violations that further complicate recovery efforts.
Debris Removal Efforts
The issue of debris removal took center stage during the public Q&A session, with numerous residents expressing their frustrations concerning the sluggish pace of cleanup, particularly in neighborhoods such as Northeast St. Petersburg. Mayor Welch acknowledged these challenges but highlighted the city’s proactive initiatives:
- More than 921,000 cubic yards of debris have been successfully removed within just four weeks, a figure that exceeds the combined totals from the last three hurricanes.
- The city has set an ambitious goal of completing all debris removal efforts within a 90-day timeframe, targeting January 11, 2025, to secure 100% federal reimbursement.
Future Resilience and Infrastructure
Emphasizing the critical nature of the situation, climate and marine science experts, including Dr. Gary Mitcham from the University of South Florida, outlined the escalating risks associated with rising sea levels, extreme rainfall events, and increasingly powerful hurricanes. In response, the city is actively pursuing several initiatives:
- A comprehensive five-year capital plan allocating an impressive $740 million towards significant improvements in stormwater and wastewater infrastructures.
- Elevating wastewater treatment facilities to withstand higher storm surges, thereby enhancing the system’s resilience against future weather events.
- Expediting critical stormwater infrastructure projects intended to mitigate flooding within the most vulnerable communities.
Mayor Welch called for an amplified collaborative effort with county, state, and federal partners to secure additional funding aimed at bolstering long-term resilience initiatives across the region.
Community Concerns
Residents raised several pressing concerns, including delays in receiving financial assistance, a lack of sufficient hotel accommodations for families displaced by the storms, and deficiencies in infrastructure even in areas not directly affected by flooding. Officials committed themselves to addressing these challenges and highlighted the critical need for open communication and ongoing community feedback to inform future strategies.
Resources and Contact Information
Residents are encouraged to visit stpete.org/recovery for the latest updates and detailed information about available resources to aid recovery efforts. Key contact numbers were also provided:
- FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
- SBA Customer Service: 1-800-659-2955
- City Water Dispatch: 727-893-7261
The city has also deployed resources aimed at supporting mental health, providing legal assistance, and addressing housing needs, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive recovery approach for all residents.
The forum, along with the presentations delivered during the event, is available for viewing on YouTube here.
How is the city planning to enhance its infrastructure resilience against future weather events like hurricanes?
**Interview with Amber Bolding, Emergency Management Manager for St. Petersburg**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Amber. The recent forum on hurricane recovery was crucial for residents following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Can you start by summarizing the main goals of this meeting?
**Amber Bolding:** Absolutely. The forum aimed to educate residents on the various assistance programs available to them as they recover from the storms. We wanted to create a space for collaboration between residents and key stakeholders, including city officials, state and federal representatives, and community organizations. Our primary goal was to outline recovery resources, clarify the permitting processes, and discuss long-term resilience strategies.
**Editor:** Mayor Ken Welch described the storms as a “significant one-two punch” for St. Petersburg. Could you elaborate on how the timing of these hurricanes compounded their impacts?
**Amber Bolding:** Certainly. Experiencing two major hurricanes within just weeks of each other intensified the challenges for our community. Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented storm surges that inundated many homes, while Hurricane Milton resulted in record-breaking rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and extended power outages. The proximity of these events meant that our residents were dealing with compounded issues like property damage, emotional stress, and uncertainty about recovery.
**Editor:** During the forum, FEMA and the SBA outlined assistance options for residents. Can you share some of the key resources available for those affected?
**Amber Bolding:** Yes, FEMA is providing Individual Assistance for both hurricanes, which includes a range of services such as crisis counseling, disaster unemployment benefits, and legal aid. Applications for Hurricane Helene are due by November 27, 2024, and for Hurricane Milton by December 11, 2024. Additionally, the SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters, as well as businesses, which can significantly aid in covering uncompensated losses and funding mitigation efforts to protect against future storms.
**Editor:** There have been concerns about the pace of debris removal in the city. How is the city addressing these frustrations?
**Amber Bolding:** That topic was a major focus during our public Q&A session. I understand the frustrations, and I want to assure residents that we are actively working to improve our response. We have already removed over 921,000 cubic yards of debris within just four weeks, outpacing our efforts from previous hurricanes. Our goal is to complete all debris removal by January 11, 2025, which is critical for securing federal reimbursement.
**Editor:** As we look to the future, how is St. Petersburg planning to enhance its resilience against future hurricanes and catastrophic weather events?
**Amber Bolding:** Our city is committed to long-term resilience. We’ve initiated a comprehensive five-year capital plan, investing $740 million into stormwater and wastewater infrastructure improvements. This includes elevating wastewater treatment facilities and expediting important stormwater projects to better handle extreme weather scenarios. Our approach is to build a more resilient infrastructure that can withstand the growing risks we face with climate change.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing these insights, Amber. It sounds like St. Petersburg is taking meaningful steps to support and rebuild the community while preparing for future challenges.
**Amber Bolding:** Thank you for having me. We are dedicated to ensuring that our community not only recovers but also becomes more resilient for the future. It’s all about working together to create a safer, more sustainable St. Petersburg.
