A new short-form documentary spotlighting the unsung heroes who helped Tampa recover from hurricanes Helene and Milton will debut at the Tampa Theatre on Sunday, June 16. The red carpet premiere runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and will feature remarks from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who is also interviewed in the film. Produced by … Read more
When most people think about hurricane preparation, they run through their mental checklist: sandbags, bottled water, batteries, shuttered windows. But when you’re caring for a loved one facing a chronic or terminal illness, your to-do list multiplies infinitely. Even if you’re not currently a caregiver, it’s worth asking: If someone you love suddenly needed care … Read more
With hurricane season approaching, Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg are teaming up to host a free Hurricane Preparedness Day expo on Saturday, May 31, to help residents get ready. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, located at 6635 Dr. Martin … Read more
Neptune Flood announced May 1 that its premium in force has surpassed $300 million and insured value has exceeded more than $100 billion. The private flood insurance provider now serves over 235,000 policyholders across 49 states and Washington, D.C. According to a statement, the company attributes its continued growth to its proprietary, AI-driven underwriting platform, … Read more
The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and the Pinellas Beaches Chamber will host a public forum featuring updates from local beach mayors on the state of beaches in Pinellas County, while the county separately announced extended deadlines for storm-damaged property compliance. The mayoral forum will be moderated by former Bay News 9 anchor Al Ruechel … Read more
Pinellas County is seeking public input on how to allocate an $813 million federal grant, aimed at long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes. This funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will assist communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, in 2023, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton, in 2024. The county will use … Read more
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) on Tuesday introduced the Rebuild & Save Act, legislation that would raise the cap on mitigation funds available through the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, from 20 percent to 30 percent. Under current rules, homeowners and small business owners can add 20 percent to their SBA low‐interest disaster loans … Read more
St. Petersburg flood insurance provider Neptune Flood is already one of the nation’s largest, with around 227,000 customers. But if threatened cuts to the country’s top program come to fruition, that number could rise, along with the region’s heightened hurricane risks. This week, staffers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced hundreds of job cuts, … Read more
Residents displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will have a chance to connect with housing providers at the Hurricane Recovery Rental Housing Fair, hosted by the City of St. Petersburg and the Bay Area Apartment Association. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 3 to 7 p.m., at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. … Read more
SBP, a national disaster recovery nonprofit, has plans to launch a home rebuilding program and a regional office in Tampa. Starting in January 2025, the initiative aims to assist communities in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee counties, affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The program will use the Toyota Production System to build at least … Read more
