Manasota Key Road reopens as Sarasota County eyes permanent solution to continued storm damage

Manasota Key Road in South Sarasota County is finally back open. It comes after a 2,000-foot section north of Blind Pass Park was shut down after Hurricanes Helene and Milton washed out the road in 2024. 

Residents share infrastructure, stormwater concerns for final Hillsborough post-disaster recovery meeting

A day before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Milton, Hillsborough County checked in with businesses and residents on Wednesday to make sure agencies are addressing needs and concerns after a storm as part of its final post-disaster redevelopment plan.

Proposed budget cuts could impact NOAA during peak hurricane season

As Florida braces for the most dangerous part of hurricane season, concerns are growing over potential cuts to the agencies that track and forecast severe weather.

Flood app developed by USF team sees upgrades one year after Helene, Milton

A year after launching the CRIS-HAZARD flood app in Pinellas County, University of South Florida researchers are making upgrades following the ultimate tests from Helene and Milton.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch reflects on Hurricane Helene one year later

Waterlogged furniture and mementos that made Arthur Finegold’s house a home still sit in the living room he hasn’t used in a year. Hurricane Helene is to blame. 

$1.3M federal grant helps Bay Area plan for post-disaster recovery

The City of Tampa is finalizing its Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan, a roadmap for how to recover after major hurricanes and flooding. 

David Jolly proposes bold state-run insurance plan in Florida

David Jolly, a Democratic candidate for governor, is proposing a state catastrophic fund that would remove hurricane and natural disaster coverage from the private market. 

South Tampa residents push for canal dredging ahead of hurricane season

Residents along West Euclid and West Bay Villa Avenue in South Tampa are urging the city to address flooding concerns tied to Canal 20. 

America after Katrina: 20 years later, lessons that changed disaster response

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana/Mississippi Gulf Coast, leaving more than 1,800 people dead and entire communities destroyed. The storm not only exposed vulnerabilities in levees and infrastructure but also highlighted gaps in emergency planning and federal response.

20 years after Katrina: Stories of survival, courage and challenges

Hurricane Katrina crossed Florida as a Category 1 storm, then intensified before striking the Gulf Coast as a strong Category 3 storm. The storm surge, winds and flooding destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure in Biloxi, Waveland, D’Iberville and other coastal communities.

America after Katrina: Lessons from New Orleans

Katrina hit New Orleans with 125 mph winds, unleashing severe flooding after levee breaches. Over 80% of the city was underwater; stormwater pumps and levees were outdated and poorly maintained.

FEMA workers put on leave after warning cuts may lead to Katrina-type disaster

Some FEMA employees have been fired after warning that the Trump administration's drastic cuts could lead to a disaster similar to Hurricane Katrina.

America after Katrina: Eyewitness to disaster

Katrina made landfall in South Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, then strengthened to Category 5 in the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi and New Orleans suffered catastrophic storm surge and flooding from the Cat 5 storm. 

FEMA's new flood maps put parts of Clearwater in flood zone for first time

FEMA has proposed updated flood maps that now include some Clearwater neighborhoods, following unprecedented flooding during Hurricane Helene last year.

Mixed reactions as Shores Acres awaits 'Elevate Florida' decisions

It’s hurricane season again, but in one of St. Pete’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, recovery from Hurricane Helene is still far from complete. In Shore Acres, residents packed into a community meeting hoping for answers — and for relief from the state’s new home-elevation program.