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Tag: Storm Season

  • Lake Seward basin soon to receive permanent pipeline following Milton

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — More than a year after Hurricane Milton, work will soon begin to help prevent future flooding near the Lake Seward basin. 

    Several inches of water filled the dry basin in October 2024, causing it to overflow. Recently, Polk County commissioners approved the next phase of a project aimed at mitigating the issue.

    What You Need To Know

    • A $1 million pipeline project is moving forward to reduce flooding near Lake Seward basin

    • Homeowners bore the financial burden after the basin overflowed following Hurricane Milton

    • Residents say growth is worsening the problem, arguing that increased development has reduced natural drainage areas


    Much has changed on Oakmont Lane since Spectrum Bay News 9 first visited Jarrod Smith’s home following Milton.

    “Soon as the water cleared, we started getting some elevation changes and some drainage corrected to prevent it from happening again,” he said.

    Smith, who lives close to the Lake Seward basin, says thousands of dollars in repair costs and improvements came out of his own pocket. After runoff from the storm filled the basin, his property was submerged under water. Polk County later brought in emergency pipes to clear the area.

    “To get it out of streets and people’s houses, and that probably took about a month and a half or so to,” Smith said.

    To help prevent future flooding, county leaders approved a consultant services agreement for the design of the Lake Seward Outfall Drainage Improvement Project. The $1 million project will bring in a permanent pipeline, but Roads and Drainage Director Jay Jarvis says it is still not a permanent solution.

    “None of these systems that we put in place are end all be all fixes. There’s no way because we never know how much rain we’re going to get in a period of time. We never know what’s going to be happening downstream and those conditions, which controls what we can and cannot do,” Jarvis said. “This is a good thing because when we do get authorization to go pump, it should be quicker and faster to get that accomplished.”

    As for Smith, he says he is grateful but encourages leaders to continue looking for a long-term fix — one he would like to see include stricter development guidelines.

    “We’re condensing that natural space where the water needs to go into a lot smaller area,” Smith said.

    He and his neighbors believe that is at the heart of the problem.

    Construction for the pipeline is expected to be complete by 2027. Jarvis says the project would have gotten underway much sooner, but the county first needed the funding.

    Alexis Jones

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  • 2025 Atlantic hurricane wrap-up; no hurricane made landfall in the U.S.

    For the first time in a decade, there was no direct landfall on the U.S. from a hurricane. Despite no landfalls, it was still an active season overall with 13 named storms and three Category 5 hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • NOAA and Colorado State University forecasted above normal activity this year

    • First year since 2015 that no hurricane made a direct landfall on the United States

    • Hurricane Melissa was the most intense hurricane of the 2025 season, with winds of 185 mph and a pressure of 892 mbar


    Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University (CSU) predicted 2025 would have above-normal activity during their pre-season forecasts. With the latter predicting 16 named storms. 

    Total storms

    In the end, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was slightly above average with 13 named storms, five hurricanes and four major storms.

    However, the season didn’t feel all that busy, and that’s because most of the storms stayed out to sea, with no direct landfalling hurricanes this year. Thanks to a persistent weaker Bermuda High, many storms came close to the coast but curved northward out to sea before making direct landfall.

    Notable storms

    Even though storms did not make landfall, that doesn’t mean they didn’t cause damage to the United States. Hurricanes Erin and Imelda came close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, causing coastal erosion. In the past five years, at least 11 homes have toppled into the surf in Rodanthe, N.C.

    Both storms ended up curving northward and then northeast out to sea.

    Two houses sit out in the heavy surf as Hurricane Erin passes offshore at Rodanthe, N.C., on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

    Although no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. this year, one tropical storm did—Chantal. It made landfall just one day after forming, moving inland near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, as a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph on July 6.

    Flooding from Chantal in Saxapahaw. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    Heavy rainfall and flash flooding were the biggest impacts from Chantal. Radar-estimated rainfall totals up 9 to 12 inches were recorded in parts of North Carolina between Raleigh and Greensboro, causing significant flooding around Chapel Hill and nearby rivers.

    Fujiwhara Effect

    As Hurricane Imelda was churning off the coast of North Carolina, it was also about 400 miles from Hurricane Humberto, creating a semi-rare phenomenon called the Fujiwhara Effect. With the two hurricanes so close to each other, it looked as if a mega-hurricane was going to develop, but Bay News 9’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay said back in September, we should not be concerned about these storms colliding and forming a mega-hurricane.

    “In the Atlantic, if two tropical systems are close enough, they can ruin the environment for both, just like we are seeing right now with Humberto and Imelda. There just isn’t enough ocean space.”

    Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto are located about 400 miles from each other in the Atlantic. (NOAA)

    The smaller or weaker storm will usually circle around the bigger one, as the larger storm will eventually dominate or potentially even fully absorb the smaller system. In this case, Imelda was the larger storm and fully absorbed Humberto.

    Category 5 storms

    Three hurricanes this year reached Category 5 status with wind speeds over 155 mph. Those storms include Hurricane Erin, Humberto and Melissa.

    Erin formed in the western Atlantic on Aug. 11 and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on Aug. 16 with winds of 160 mph. It brushed past the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola before moving past the U.S., bringing life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents up the East Coast.

    Coastal flooding was worse along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, especially during high tide, forcing thousands to evacuate and closing Highway 12 on Hatteras Island, and tidal flooding led to rescues in Margate City, New Jersey.

    A section of N.C. 12 at the north end of Buxton is flooding before the Tuesday afternoon high tide as Hurricane Erin continues moving northwest across the Atlantic Ocean. (N.C. Department of Transportation)

    Hurricane Humberto became a hurricane two days after forming into a tropical storm. It rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm and then, 24 hours later, it reached peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 160 mph. It moved between the United States and Bermuda and brought large swells and dangerous rip currents to the U.S. East Coast and squally weather to Bermuda.

    Melissa was a late-season Category 5 hurricane and the most intense storm of the season. It became a tropical storm on Oct. 21 and by Oct. 25 it had undergone rapid intensification, becoming a Category 4 hurricane. Melissa nearly stalled in the Caribbean Sea and, thanks to favorable conditions, it achieved Category 5 status on Oct. 27.

    The church of Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

    It reached peak intensity with winds of 185 mph and is now tied for third for the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record (since 1851) with a pressure of 892 mbar. It made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Oct. 28. Over 100 fatalities were reported due to Melissa.

    Forecast models

    The forecast for Melissa was notably a challenge. Weather models were showing inconsistent tracks run-to-run.

    The National Hurricane Center, surprisingly, relied on Google’s DeepMind, a new AI weather model-over more traditional models. Data showed the AI model outperformed traditional physics-based models and aligned with the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts when came to track error.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

     

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn, Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Pasco County launching new hurricane relief assistance program

    DADE CITY, Fla. — Pasco County is preparing to roll out a major relief program funded by a $585 million federal Community Development Block Grant, which was awarded following last year’s hurricane season. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County is launching a new hurricane relief assistance program using $585 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program targets low- to moderate-income families 
    • The application period opens in December 
    • Funding will help cover past hurricane-related expenses or repairs, and the cost to make new repairs 
    • There is also the Better Future Individual Housing Program, which is designed for residents of Pasco County


    More than half of that funding will go directly to homeowners who have been unable to make essential storm-related repairs.

    For residents like Christopher Rosakranse, the assistance cannot come soon enough. Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through his property, downing 15 trees, damaging fences, and flooding his yard.

    “The water got so high,” he recalled. “One tree landed on our little mother-in-law suite, and the flooding pulled up our septic a bit.”

    Rosakranse had purchased the home just two months before the storms hit and was left with thousands of dollars in damage. To make matters worse, he says he was unable to secure help from FEMA.

    “I kept getting the runaround,” he said. “It was really hard to get through that system.”

    Pasco County officials say homeowners like Rosakranse are exactly who the county hopes to help through its new Better Future Housing Program.

    “We are trying to explain the opportunity to the public — how we can help them, how they can get involved,” said Chuck Lane, the county’s director of Disaster Recovery Resources. Lane and his team are hosting informational meetings this week to outline eligibility requirements and the types of expenses the program can cover.

    “We really saw devastation county-wide,” Lane said. “We are still seeing a lot of people who are displaced, and those are the people we are going to try to prioritize and get help to more quickly.”

    The Better Future Individual Housing Program is a program designed for residents of Pasco County. It is scheduled to open for applications in December. Qualified homeowners may receive funding for repairs that have already been completed, repairs that are still needed, or other storm-related expenses.

    For details on this week’s public meetings or the application process, go right visit here. 

    Jason Lanning

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  • St. Petersburg leaders map out future to storm resiliency

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg officials say there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the city’s flooding problems, a key takeaway from a public meeting that wrapped up nine recent walking tours of neighborhoods hit hard during last year’s hurricane season.

    The city, working alongside engineers from Jacobs Engineering as part of its broader resiliency planning, found that each affected neighborhood faces its own set of challenges.

    From storm surge to heavy rainfall to unique geographic features, every community requires a different approach.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Pete’s Resiliency Action Plan was discussed last night at a public forum, targeting 9 specific neighborhoods that saw flooding during last years hurricane season

    • City leaders, working alongside Jacob’s Engineering and The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council detailed challenges in each neighborhood and proposed solutions

    • Data collected during the study will be factored in to long-term proejcts already udnerway, including the seawall study, the stormwater master plan and SPAR

    • For more information on the resiliency plan, visit here 


    The neighborhoods studied include Old Pasadena, Kingston Street, Shore Acres, Bartlett Park, Bonita Bayou, Coquina Key, Harbordale, Childs Park, and Riviera Bay.

    Mayor Ken Welch said the data collected, along with extensive resident feedback, will directly influence upcoming resiliency and infrastructure projects.

    “It’s important that we are going to use this data to inform projects that are going forward,” Welch said. “The stormwater master plan, the St. Pete Agile Resilience Plan—or SPAR, that you’ll hear about for the rest of the year—and the seawall study, among other long-term adaptation strategies already underway.”

    One of the meeting’s highlights was the city’s new interactive map.

    It not only outlines findings from each neighborhood but also includes resident reports describing what they experienced during the storms. The tool details proposed projects for every community reviewed during the tours.

    City leaders say some neighborhoods—such as Shore Acres—have long been known for flooding issues.

    But others, rarely affected in the past, experienced unexpected problems during last year’s hurricanes. That’s part of why officials launched this deeper investigation, to understand what went wrong and determine what can be done to prevent similar events in the future.

    Jason Lanning

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  • Applications open for Tampa’s $2 million hurricane recovery program

    TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa residents seeking assistance with hurricane recovery can now apply for the city’s Homeowner Hurricane Assistance program. 

    Applications opened Monday morning for the new city program that awards up to $30,000 to eligible homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton. Homeowners in the hardest-hit zip codes, including Forest Hills/North Tampa, Palmetto Beach and South of Gandy, will be prioritized. 


    The city of Tampa has $2 million from the city’s general fund they plan to use for this new program. Residents who still need to make home repairs or want to be reimbursed for prior hurricane-related repairs are encouraged to apply. 

    To be eligible, you have to be a homeowner with homestead status living within Tampa’s city limits. Household income cannot exceed 140% of the area’s median income, though the city is willing to accept applications for those who make up to 10% more. That means the cap sits at roughly $128,500 for two-person households and just over $160,000 for a four-person household. 

    Forest Hills resident April Self said many of her neighbors are still trying to repair their homes and are at varying stages of recovery.

    “I know so many people… including us, to keep things moving we had to tap into our 401K and IRA,” Self said. 

    She added that her home flooded with a mix of rainwater and sewer water. She says the city’s storm pumps failed to turn on when the power went out, a separate issue the city is currently working on. 

    In July, the city confirmed they will rent eight backup generators for hurricane seasons to ensure storm pumps will remain running when the grid loses power. 

    Looking at the income restrictions of the new Tampa program, Self says she and some of her neighbors in need won’t qualify for the funding. 

    “When you actually see the numbers you’re deflated again,” she said. “Everything we’ve applied for we’ve been denied… we’ve only been able to get a little help from FEMA and we had to take out a second mortgage that’s higher than our first mortgage.” 

    She’s hoping the city takes a second look at property values in the area and how they compare to income requirements. 

    Those looking to apply for funding or see if they quality can do so through the city of Tampa directly.

    Angie Angers

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  • Big deadline approaches for Pinellas residents with hurricane-damaged homes

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The deadline to appeal substantial damage designations is quickly approaching for residents who had their homes take on water in last year’s back-to-back hurricanes.

    Initially, Pinellas County told affected residents they had until Oct. 31 to appeal if they received a substantial damage letter stating that their home did not meet the FEMA 50% rule. In the letter, homes that did not meet the cost-to-value ratio threshold required, were given the option to tear down, rebuild, lift their existing home, or move out of the community entirely.

    John Carkeet, Public Information Coordinator for Pinellas County, says the county is no longer enforcing the Oct. 31 deadline and will continue to work through the appeals process with affected residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • 118 residents at Gateway Mobile Home Community still have substantial damage determination

    • Pinellas County says they will still take appeals after initial Oct. 31 deadline

    • Approximately 70% of block or wood frame homes that filed a reassessment were reversed to not substantially damaged

    • Depreciated value of older mobile homes makes appeal harder 


    “October 31 is not a hard deadline,” Carkeet wrote. “Some earlier letters referenced that date, but current and future communications no longer do. The County continues to accept and review appeals, and it will keep working with affected residents and mobile home park communities. We strongly encourage residents to submit appeals and supporting documents as soon as practical.”

    Kerry Rumple has owned her home at the Gateway Mobile Home Park off 4th Street in Pinellas County for the last eight years. She says during the hurricanes, there was puddling on her floors but none of her appliances, furniture, cabinets or electrical system was affected.

    She thought at the time that she was one of the lucky ones.

    “I don’t even have water lines on my walls or my baseboards,” she said. “So there’s no reason that my home would be unsafe.”

    Rumple says a remediation company came after she dried out the floors and they replaced the vapor barrier and damaged pieces. Months after making the floor repairs, she said she received the substantial damage letter starting that her home did not meet the 49% cost-to-value ratio threshold.

    “It’s a 1963, so they say it has no value,” Rumple said. “But my home is not damaged, it’s safe. It’s my home.”

    Rumple has been working through the appeals process and stated her case before a special magistrate. She’s waiting for the final ruling.

    If the county does not honor the appeal, Rumple will need to tear down or leave her home by June of next year.

    In all, Carkeet says approximately 1,000 homes have a determination of substantial damage in unincorporated Pinellas County. About 80% of them are manufactured/mobile homes.  

    “The reassessment process has shown to be an effective step for a homeowner to pursue the reversal of the initial SD determination. Approximately 70% of SF homes (block or wood frame) that filed a reassessment were reversed to not substantially damaged.  Manufactured and mobile homes face greater challenges because their values are typically low, largely due to age-related depreciation,” Carkeet said in a written statement.

    “There were mobile homes that took on water in the living space that were not deemed substantially damaged. The age of the structure is typically the key determining factor. Pinellas County has a large percentage of mobile homes from the 1960’s and 1970’s. The depreciated value for older (50+ years) mobile homes will have a market value where a limited scope of work to repair damages can result in exceeding the 49% threshold.”

    Darna Lopez, who manages Gateway Mobile Home Park, says she feels the county is using understated home values with high-cost repair expenses in their projections. She hopes they will take another look at the homes that received minimal damage.

    “We want to work with the county to see if there are maybe inspections they can do to see that they’re viable, to see how many people we can help through this process so they can live stress-free,” she said.

    Carkeet encourages anyone wishing to appeal their substantial damage designation to begin the process through the county.

    Angie Angers

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  • ‘I know we will bounce back’: Jamaican community speaks out after Melissa

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Melissa has unleashed widespread devastation across the Caribbean as one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the area.

    Sheldon Johnson has family in Montego Bay, one of the areas on the western side of the island of Jamaica, that got the worst of the storm.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jamaica’s government has said it “is not in a position to make an official statement on deaths” from Hurricane Melissa

    • The storm caused significant damage to public infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is still unknown

    • Sheldon Johnson has family in Montego Bay, one of the areas on the western side of the island, that got the worst of the storm



    “I got all my family over there, my brothers, sisters, uncles, dad, aunt, grandma, everyone is still over there in Jamaica. I haven’t heard from any one of them. I can’t reach anyone” Johnson, owner and chef at Don’s Jamaican Kitchen, said.

    Jamaica’s government has said it “is not in a position to make an official statement on deaths” from Hurricane Melissa. 

    “I was shocked. Like, nobody was expecting this, not even me. I was like, watching the video, and I’m like, dang, I can’t believe this is really happening to my country,” Johnson said.

    The storm caused significant damage to public infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage has not come to light yet. 

    Gaynor Russell is the president of the Jamaican American Cultural Association, and she says she’s worried.

    “Jamaica is on the forefront in terms of structural development and infrastructure, but we have a lot of poor areas in Jamaica. It’s a third-world country. So you’re going to have devastation to people who live in low lying areas, people who are not, don’t live in structurally sound housing,” Russell said.

    Even though this hurricane hit Jamaica as one of the strongest ever on record, Johnson knows they will persevere. 

    “I know we will bounce back from this, but it’s going to take some time. We’re Jamaicans, so we’re going to stay strong,” Johnson said.

    JACA is planning a trip to the island in the coming weeks to help with the humanitarian efforts. The organization says it is also collecting monetary donations on its website.

    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Hurricane response lessons learned after historic 2024 storms

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — From residents rebuilding their homes themselves to professionals hired to do the job, a lot of lessons learned from last year’s hurricanes are being put into play this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 46,000 Pinellas County homes damaged in 2024 storms, according to officials with the county



    • Last year’s storm season provided lessons for many aspects of recovery



    • Contractors more than doubled the amount of hurricane impact windows installed this year compared to last year



    • One homeowner marks progress with impact window installation 




    More than one year since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homeowner Linda Zolper continues to rebuild. Thursday was a sign of progress with the delivery of more than 40 impact windows that crews started installing.

    “I’m excited to see them go in,” said Zolper, who added the decision to increase hurricane preparedness was an easy one.

    “I think the storm taught us a lot about how to prepare for the next hurricane and we just wanted to make sure that most of all that the family was safe inside, so the hurricane windows give us a lot more protection from debris flying and the possibility of wind damage,” she said.

    From residents to professionals hired to help rebuild, the historic 2024 hurricane season provided lessons for many aspects of recovery.

    Licensed contractor TomCo Solutions says it has installed more than twice as many impact windows this year compared to last.

    TomCo Vice President Matt Klaus says permits and timelines have been among the biggest challenges this season.

    “The magnitude, the number of homes that need to be rebuilt, so what we found there was a lot of shortage of labor. There was a lot of shortage of materials so on and so forth, so it definitely made us change the expectations that we had to set for our clients to take those things into consideration,” said Klaus. 

    From impact windows to flood barriers, Klaus said homeowners are more inclined to rebuild with additional protective measures, like flood barriers.

    For homes that were flooded, Klaus says they have modified communication with clients.

    “We’ve really had to change the fact that we incorporate technology to get pictures to them so they can see it, have access, setting up cameras onsite so they can see people that are on the job site,” said Klaus.

    This area will be a job site for about another month. Zolper hopes to be back in by December.

    “It’s just been a waiting game, really trying to get everything lined up and all the decisions made,” said Zolper.

    Melissa Eichman

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  • WATCH: Hurricane Hunters fly into Category 5 Hurricane Melissa

    Hurricane Melissa is a powerful Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean Sea set to make landfall in Jamaica Tuesday morning.

    A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” flew through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025, collecting valuable data to help improve the forecast, and took video from inside the eye.

    Watch the Hurricane Hunters video of Hurricane Melissa’s “stadium effect” inside the eye as it was a Category 5 hurricane on Monday, Oct. 27.


    Before making landfall on Tuesday, Oct. 28, the turbulence was so strong inside Hurricane Melissa that the Hurricane Hunters had to abandon the mission and return to its operating location.

    You can check the latest updates on Hurricane Melissa here.

    More Storm Season Resources


    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

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  • LIVE CAMERAS: Watch Category 5 Hurricane Melissa move into Jamaica

    It will make landfall Tuesday.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Sarasota County to begin dredging Phillippi Creek this fall

    SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A dredging project to alleviate flooding will soon begin along a Sarasota creek.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarasota County officials say they have received approval to start removing thousands of yards of material from the creek between U.S. 41 and Beneva Road

    • Phillippi Creek overflow has frequently inundated homes — most recently last year due to Hurricane Debby’s rain

    • Officials say the dredging is likely to begin this fall

    The county recently received approval for the project along Phillippi Creek, where overflow has frequently inundated homes — most recently last year due to Hurricane Debby’s rain.

    Sometimes, new homeowners don’t anticipate everything they need to know about their new house. That was the case for Nadia Bowen.

    “When we moved in, I thought it was such a beautiful location. I never in a million years thought that, you know, the water would come this high — we’re 16 feet up,” she said.

    Bowen moved into the Southgate neighborhood in Sarasota in 2021. For three years, she said there were no overflow issues from Phillippi Creek. But Debby was a wake-up call.

    “It was flooded all the way up to here. It was close to coming to our pool, basically,” she said.

    She said that while her home wasn’t flooded, others in the neighborhood were. She watched her neighbors experience the turmoil and is now worried her home could be next.

    “Hurricane Debby really, really scarred our community. We have many people in our community that are still not back in their homes,” she said.

    Bowen started a dredging subcommittee in the Southgate Community Association. The group advocates for dredging along Phillippi Creek. Sarasota County has received approval to start removing thousands of yards of material from the creek between U.S. 41 and Beneva Road.

    Bowen lives between those two roads, but her home backs up to a secondary branch of the creek, not the primary waterway.

    “I don’t know if they’re actually going to dredge this. We’re not sure. We know they’re going to dredge the main canal. We’re really happy about that,” she said.

    Sarasota County Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine said the dredging process will likely begin sometime this fall.

    “Sedimentation in the creek has been building up over time, and projects and storms like Debby have reminded us that it’s imperative to ensure that the creek is operating at max capacity,” he said.

    Those who live near the creek are awaiting the change.

    “During storm times, it’s scary. It’s scary that there’s nowhere for the water to go,” she said.

    With the county focused on improving Phillippi Creek, Bowen is hopeful the dredging provides protection for residents.

    Earlier this year, Sarasota County submitted an emergency application for dredging along Phillippi Creek. That application was denied — according to county officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined a standard application was appropriate, due to several factors including the size of the dredging project and the location.

    Julia Hazel

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  • Tropical Storm Melissa forms in the Caribbean Sea

    Tropical Storm Melissa has formed in the Caribbean Sea. It’s the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical Storm Melissa has formed in the Caribbean Sea
    • It could become a hurricane
    • It will bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to parts of the Caribbean

    Melissa has maximum winds of 50 mph and is moving westward at 14 mph. It’s slowing down over warm water and a favorable environment in the Caribbean Sea, and it should strengthen more in the next couple days as it stalls, or moves extremely slowly, in the central Caribbean Sea.

    Regardless of intensity, it’s going to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds and rough surf over portions of Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba and other parts of the western Caribbean this week and weekend.

    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict what areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside, but near the cone, should be on alert and make storm preparations. Read more about what the cone will display.

    A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

    • The southern coast and Tiburon peninsula of Haiti

    A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:


    Most models show Melissa meandering in the Caribbean Sea throughout the weekend, and eventually turning northeast toward the western Atlantic. It’s unlikely that it directly impacts the U.S. thanks to some strong cold fronts pushing into the Southeast.

    More Storm Season Resources

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Program opens Monday

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Program has opened for Pinellas County residents still working to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and Idalia in 2023.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery is open for applications Monday, Oct. 20 
    • The fund is part of the largest community block grant awarded in Florida, totaling more than $800 million
    • Program is income-based, and will accept households that make up to 120% the area’s median household income
    • St. Petersburg residents are not eligible because the city has its own disaster recovery program


    The recovery funds are part of the largest community block grant awarded in Florida, totaling more than $800 million.

    All Pinellas County residents can qualify, excluding St. Petersburg residents, who can apply for a similar program run by the city.

    Pinellas County Senior Communications Project Coordinator Josh Boatwright says there are still thousands of residents who have not been made whole from recent hurricanes.

    “Our hope is to really see people who have been struggling financially through this time, to get back in their home, to find a stable home where they can stay rooted in the community and really rebuild the resilience of our community going forward,” said Boatwright.

    The Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Program is income-based, available for low to mid income households, and is based on the area’s median income.

    There are five categories a household could qualify, including funds for repairs that still need to be made, reimbursement for money already paid for documented repairs, landlord assistance, funds for a new home outside of a flood zone, and reimbursement for disaster expenses like late mortgage and utility payments.

    For more information on how to apply for the Pinellas County program, visit Pinellas Recovers.

    If you are a St. Petersburg resident, the city’s program can be found at Sunrise St. Pete.

    Jason Lanning

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  • Belle Haven Historic Cottage now open, more than a year after Helene

    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A piece of Anna Maria Island history is now open to visitors after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

    What You Need To Know

    • Belle Haven Historic Cottage opened Oct. 1 after being closed since Hurricane Helene




    • The Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s volunteers worked to restore the artifacts and buildings



    • The society’s president said it is applying for grants that could provide funding for upgrades to the Belle Haven Cottage to keep it in good condition



    Earlier this month, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society reopened the “Belle Haven Historic Cottage.”

    Being able to step into a world from the past is what Carolyn Orshak protects.

    “We are so excited to have it open. It was a year in the making,” she said.

    Orshak is the president of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.

    She said the “Belle Haven Historic Cottage” just opened this month, after volunteers worked hard to restore it.

    It was damaged by Helene last September.

    “She had to just buckle up and store all of our artifacts that we couldn’t get into the museum yet,” she said.

    The cottage sustained some water damage, but the museum was flooded with four feet of water from Helene. Artifacts dating back to the 1800s were damaged — some were destroyed.

    “Because it was a very slow, tedious process,” Orshak said. “Every artifact had to be inventoried and cleaned. It took months, it took months.”

    Longtime volunteers like Heidi Pratt played a key role in the restoration. She says the renovation also gave the society a chance to make the museum even better.

    “I’ve volunteered now for 10 years, and originally this place was jam-packed like an antique store, shelves and things. We’ve had it properly curated. Everything’s in its place, little areas that belong together. It’s perfect,” she said.

    Orshak said this 1920s house is a vital piece of history for the island community.

    “Children really need to learn our history. Because as we grow into adulthood, we need to understand the things about our world that make it that way, the things that we can do to make it better,” she said.

    History serves as a reminder of our past, and Orshak plans on protecting that for years to come.

    She says they are applying for grants that could provide funding for upgrades to the Belle Haven Cottage to keep it in good condition.

    Julia Hazel

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  • Pinellas unveils hurricane recovery programs for vulnerable residents

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas County will launch its People First programs next week which will prioritize vulnerable residents with lower incomes who have been struggling to recover from last year’s hurricanes.

    “if you qualify we want to get money in your hands,” said Brian Scott, Pinellas County Commission Chair. “This is going to be a huge economic lift for this county.”

    The programs have been funded by the largest federal storm recovery grant awarded to any local government in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to Pinellas County. A total of $813 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD grant also applies to damage from Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

    “I really think the program for mobile homes, I think that’s really going to be impactful,” said Scott. “So if you live in a mobile home community and you are affected highly, highly encourage you to apply.”

    The first two programs residents will see benefits from are Disaster Relief Reimbursement and Homeowner Reimbursement. Residents earning 80 percent of the area medium income can get up to $15,000 in storm related expenses in the Disaster Relief Reimbursement program.

    “If they were paying a mortgage and also rent at the same time, if they had utility expenses, things that were not covered by any other form, FEMA, insurance, anything,” said Matthew Spoor, Pinellas County Assistant Administrator. “We know a lot of low to moderate income individuals, especially in our barrier island communities, lost their jobs, didn’t have jobs for a while. So those things would be covered up to $15,000.”

    Residents earning 120 percent of the AMI can get up to $50,000 for code-compliant repairs already completed in the Homeowner Reimbursement Program.

    The next two programs to come online are Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and Local Landlord program. Owners who qualify can get up to $375,000 to completely replace their home or rental property. Landlords must agree to rent income-qualified tenants.

    “For repairs or rehabilitation that have not occurred on the property,” said Spoor. “That could include up to replacing the home.”

    The last program will be Homebuyer Assistance, which will provide up to $80,000 for closing costs to purchase a safer home outside flood zones for income eligible residents. The HUD grant calls for 70 percent of the money to be spent on residents with low to moderate incomes. One person earning $58,450 per year qualifies as 80 percent AMI, while another person earning $87,600 qualifies as 120 percent AMI.

    “Once we can prove that we’ve satisfied an unmet need in those particular income brackets,” said Scott. ”Then we can apply for waivers because that may not fit everybody.”

    Scott said Pinellas County stood up the program quickly and he hopes they can cut checks to residents by Christmas.

    “We did this in lightning speed as well. I’ve really got to take hats off to staff and my fellow commissioners,” he said. “If you look down south of us, in Lee County, it took them almost two years to get money in the people’s hands. And we’re doing this in just over a year.”

    The People First program is not available to St. Petersburg residents because the city will soon launch its own program called Sunrise St. Pete. All other residents in Pinellas County can begin applying on Oct. 20 at recover.pinellas.gov or by calling 727-606-3307.

    Residents can meet with case managers at 2600 McCormick Dr., suite 100 in Clearwater or 5000 Park St., suite 4 in St. Petersburg. Case managers will also be visiting community centers and other locations countywide at pop-up sites in the coming months to help residents apply for the programs.

    Josh Rojas

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  • Tropical Storm Lorenzo forms in the central Atlantic

    Tropical Storm Lorenzo formed this morning in the central tropical Atlantic becoming the 12th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • This is the 12th named storm of the season

    • Lorenzo will remain a tropical storm

    • No threats to the U.S.


    Lorenzo is a tropical storm with maxium sustained winds at 45 mph moving northwest at 17 mph. Tropical storm Lorenzo will continue to churn in the open waters of the Atlantic posing no threat to any land over the next 5 days.



    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict what areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside, but near the cone, should be on alert and make storm preparations.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these models.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Hurricane Milton: One Year Later

    Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida one year ago today. Look back on Milton’s impacts and the damage it left behind.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida one year ago

    • It moved inland near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024

    • More than 20 inches of rain fell in St. Petersburg
    • More Hurricane Milton stories

    MILTON STATS

    Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin, reaching Category 5 intensity in the Gulf on Oct. 7, 2024 with peak winds 180 mph.

    The pressure is estimated to have been 895 mb at the time of peak intensity. This ties Hurricane Rita of 2005 for the fourth-lowest minimum central pressure in the Atlantic basin. The lower central pressures include 882 mb in Wilma in 2005, 888 mb in Gilbert in 1988 and 892 mb in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

    Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Fla. on Oct. 9, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. as a Category 3 hurricane with max winds of 115 mph.


    The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) estimates that Milton caused $34.3 billion in damage in the United States, almost exclusively in Florida.

    One prominent building damaged by the hurricane was Tropicana Field, where the fabric roof was ripped off by high winds followed by water damage from rain falling into the stadium.

    The report notes that the west coast most affected by Hurricane Milton had also been affected by Hurricane Helene two weeks before, which complicated damage assessments.

    In Florida, Milton caused hurricane conditions along the west coast from Clearwater Beach and Tampa southward across Sarasota to near Venice. Tropical storm conditions occurred elsewhere across the Florida Peninsula south of a Cedar Key – Fernandina Beach line, with hurricane-force wind gusts reported in central Florida near the track of the center.

    STORM SURGE

    The highest storm surge was reported between Venice southward to Boca Grande, with up to 6 to 9 feet inundation. An isolated peak of up to 10 feet was estimated near Manasota Key.

    NOAA’s final report on Milton notes that the same area had a significant storm surge from Hurricane Helene two weeks prior, and the erosion and debris from its aftermath compounded the damages incurred during Milton.

    Here are the storm surge numbers from around Florida:

    Analyzed storm surge inundation (feet above ground level) along the coast of Florida from Hurricane Milton. Milton’s track is overlaid (black line). (Courtesy: NOAA/NHC)

    Analyzed storm surge inundation (feet above ground level) along the coast of Florida from Hurricane Milton. Milton’s track is overlaid (black line). (Courtesy: NOAA/NHC)

    WINDS

    Peak winds exceeded 100 mph in Manatee and Pinellas County. The strongest winds were recorded in Egmont Key with a 105 mph gust.

    Here are the maximum wind gusts reported around Florida during Hurricane Milton:


    RAINFALL AND FLOODING

    Milton produced a large area of heavy rain across portions of the central and northern Florida Peninsula, including 10 to 20 inches of rain in Tampa Bay.

    The highest reported storm total rainfall was 20.40 inches at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) site near St. Petersburg.

    Here’s an interactive rainfall map from around Florida.


    TORNADOES

    Milton caused a significant tornado outbreak over the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula on Oct. 9, including 45 confirmed tornadoes. There were 3 EF3 tornadoes, 6 EF2 tornadoes, 25 EF1 tornadoes and 7 EF0 tornadoes.

    Here is an interactive map of the tornadoes produced by Hurricane Milton.


    IMPACTS

    Milton was responsible for 15 direct deaths – 12 in the United States (all in Florida) and 3 in Mexico.

    • Six people died due to the tornado near Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
    • Four people were killed by falling trees, while there were two deaths due to freshwater flooding.

    Milton caused 27 indirect deaths in the United States, all in Florida.

    Most of the deaths were due to health issues during storm preparations or post-storm clean-up or due to falls related to storm preparations, clean-up, or power failures.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • One year since hurricanes, Largo residents concerns about damaged gas station

    LARGO, Fla. — The owners of a Largo gas station damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton face a daily fine of $850 for violating several city codes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some Largo residents are concerned hurricane-damaged property is a safety hazard one year later

    • Property owners face $850 daily fine for violating several city codes

    • Code violations include: property maintenance, unsafe structure, unsafe equipment, accessory structure in disrepair, overhang extension in disrepair


    People who live near the property on Indian Rocks Road say they are concerned the collapsed canopy and dilapidated state of the site are a safety hazard.

    “Just catastrophe, I’m so blown away that something hasn’t happened already,” said Carl Galler who lives nearby.

    While the homeowner says he recognizes the recovery process is ongoing across the community, he’s worried about potential dangers of the abandoned space.

    “It’s not just an eyesore, it was electrified, the lights came on overnight with that awning sitting sideways, it was left unfenced,” said Galler.

    The Largo officials say a fence was installed in April and electricity was turned off in March. They say Code Enforcement went before the Largo’s Special Magistrate in June and September, when they say the property owner was found in violation of several city codes, including: property maintenance, unsafe structure, unsafe equipment, accessory structure in disrepair and overhang extension in disrepair. A daily fine of $850 has been adding up since Aug. 7.

    The disrepair concerns Galler. He posted about it online and has received a variety of responses.

    “If you don’t like it just look away or it’s fenced,” said Galler.

    “I think of my 14-year-old self, 50 years ago and I would have been all over that. Would have been like the biggest, coolest, and the fence would have made it even more attractive,” said the concerned resident, who believes someone should be held accountable soon.

    “At the very least, just remediate it, basic remediation, get rid of that awning,” said Galler.

    Largo officials say the property owners did apply for a repair permit in July but did not supply all the required documents. A permit was eventually issued in September, but the city officials say there has been no movement on repairs. That permit expires in March.

    Officials say they are looking into additional repair and abatement options they can take, since a permit has been issued.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 attempted to reach the property owner, but got no response.

    A Largo official responded saying, “The city of Largo is taking all necessary steps to bring the property at 1737 Indian Rocks Road South into compliance with the City Codes as well as the Florida Building Code. We understand and share residents’ concerns and remain committed to ensuring public safety and neighborhood quality.” 

    Melissa Eichman

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  • Gulfport restauranteur grateful after year of hurricane rebuilding

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — More than a year after Hurricane Helene ravaged the Bay area, one Gulfport restaurant can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

    The Neptune Grill recently reopened with a staff just as resilient as the newly renovated building.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than a year after Hurricane Helene ravaged the Bay area, one Gulfport restaurant can see the light at the end of the tunnel

    • It’s been almost 15 years since Dia Vartsakis, and her father Gus, opened the Neptune Grill in Gulfport 

    • The Vartsakis’ dream turned into a nightmare when Helene and Milton swept across the region, all but destroying their restaurant 
    • Flood insurance did help out some. But Dia and her dad have dipped into their savings, taken out loans and swiped their credit cards just to survive. Now, the place is open a few days a week
    • Location: 5501 Shore Blvd S., Gulfport, FL 33707

    It’s been almost 15 years since Dia Vartsakis, and her father, Gus, opened their Greek restaurant right in the heart of downtown Gulfport.

    But when Helene came to the Neptune Grill, the Roman god of the sea was no protection from the damage of the hurricane.

    “When I walked in that day…the countertop, which was quartz, was on the ground,” she said. “And I pretty much walked into (the) patio and it was just a complete, open, blank nothing.” 

    The Vartsakis’ dream turned into a nightmare overnight. Not only was their restaurant destroyed, they own the building that houses three other shops. All faced similar damage.

    It’s been almost 15 years since Dia Vartsakis, and her father Gus, opened their Greek restaurant right in the heart of downtown Gulfport. She said it was tough seeing the business heavily damaged. (Spectrum News image)

    “I basically, at that point, thought to myself, ‘Well, I guess [you should] go to bed, because tomorrow is going to be a long day,” Vartsakis said.

    She was right. Dia says it took weeks to clean up and months before they received their first building permits.

    Once they were approved in February, construction started almost immediately.

    Flood insurance did help out some. But Dia and her dad have dipped into their savings, taken out loans and swiped their credit cards just to survive.

    “Every piece of equipment is brand new, Vartaskis said. “From refrigeration to cooking equipment. Everything had to be replaced.”

    That includes new booths, tables and décor in the dining room. And the walls they’re now reinforced, along with the large hurricane proof windows.

    “To know that the structure is sound, and that the weak spots we had are no longer there makes us a little more confident going into the future,” she said. “Hopefully never dealing with a Helene again.”

    For now, Neptune is only open a few days a week, running a limited menu. Many of the core staff have returned and so have customers’ appetites.

     Despite all the pain, all the hard work, Vartsakis said she can still see the glass half full.

    “I got to spend a lot of quality time with my dad,” she said of time they spent together during the rebuild. “And even though a lot of it was what we had to do to get Neptune Grill open, to get the structure put back together, that 30-minute lunch or coffee or whatever was quality time I probably would’ve never had.”

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tropical Storm Jerry forms in the Atlantic

    Tropical Storm Jerry has formed in the central Atlantic. It’s the tenth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical Storm Jerry formed in the central Atlantic

    • It’s expected to strengthen into a hurricane

    • Jerry likely won’t impact the U.S.


    Tropical Storm Jerry has maximum winds of 45 mph and is quickly moving westward at 24 mph. It’s expected to slow down and eventually turn northward during the next couple of days.

    Jerry is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves through a favorable environment. Its core will pass near the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday into Friday, bringing the potential for gusty winds and heavy rainfall later this week.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations. Read more about what the cone will display.

    Most models show Jerry curving northward into the open Atlantic, potentially heading toward Bermuda. 


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these models.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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