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Tag: Storm Season

  • Gulfport restauranteur grateful after year of hurricane rebuilding

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    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.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tropical Storm Jerry forms in the Atlantic

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    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.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Tropical development happens closer to the U.S. in October

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    The peak of the 2025 hurricane season was nearly three weeks ago, and the tropics have responded, with three hurricanes — Gabrielle, Humberto and Imelda in just that time period. Two of those hurricanes even achieved Category 5 status, with winds of 155+ mph.

    With two more months left in the typical hurricane season, how does the month of October play out with storms? 

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical activity slightly decreases in October

    • The development regions shift to the Caribbean and eastern U.S. coastlines

    • Track patterns change, and most systems track toward the northeast


    While activity decreases slightly in October, the month sees most of the storm formations closer to the U.S., particularly in the Gulf, Southeast Coast and Caribbean. These are locations where water temperatures remain well above the 79° threshold. 

    Most systems track toward the northeast, with it likely that many stay off the eastern coastlines. However, there have been landfalling systems in past October months.

    Milton

    Milton was one for the record books, even before ever making landfall. While it formed in the Bay of Campeche on Oct. 5, it quickly intensified into a hurricane. It underwent rapid intensification in the Gulf, going from a Category 3 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane with maximum winds of 180 mph in less than 24 hours. It ties Hurricane Rita for the most intense Atlantic hurricane ever.

    It made landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 120 mph. Prior to landfall on Oct. 7, the outer rainbands spawned tornadoes in central and southern Florida. 126 tornado warnings were issued in Florida, the second most tornado warnings ever issued in one day, and the most ever in Florida or from a tropical system. 

    Parts of Hillsborough County saw flooding from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year. Hillsborough County is hosting several meetings to gather information from residents and businesses about the flood impact of those storms. (Spectrum News)

    As Milton moved inland, heavy rain created a flash flood emergency north of the center of circulation, including the cities of St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater. St. Petersburg – Albert Whitted Airport reported 18.54 inches of rain from Milton. 

    Michael

    Michael first became a tropical storm on Oct. 7 and quickly intensified into a hurricane a day later. It then became a major hurricane on Oct. 9 as it moved through the warm waters of the Gulf.

    Michael made landfall near Panama City, Fla. on Oct. 10 as a Category 5 hurricane, making it the third-strongest landfalling hurricane in the U.S. on record and the strongest storm to strike the Florida Panhandle. 

    (Spectrum News)

    It destroyed many houses in the Florida Panhandle, and storm surge flooded the coast. Farms suffered, leading to a loss in cattle and crops, and Michael caused $4.7 billion in damage to the Tyndall Air Force Base. As Michael weakened, it moved further into the southeast, bringing wind damage and flooding to Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

    It total, we saw $25 billion in damage from Michael, and around 60 deaths.

    Matthew

    Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was one of the deadliest storms ever to strike the Atlantic, causing a humanitarian crisis in Haiti. It intensified into a hurricane on Sept. 29 before exploding into a Category 5 storm 24 hours later., the first Category 5 hurricane since Hurricane Felix in 2007.

    Matthew made landfall in Haiti as a strong Category 4 storm on Oct. 4 and then in Cuba on Oct. 5.

    Propane tanks sit in floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. People were ordered to evacuate, and officials warned that some communities could be cut off by washed out roads or bridge closures. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

    Forecasts took it close to the Florida and Georgia coastlines as a Category 3, but the center of the storm did not make landfall. The western side and the inner eyewall remained just offshore. Matthew weakened to a Category 2 hurricane late on Oct. 7 and then to a Category 1 hurricane by Oct. 8.

    It made landfall near McClellanville, S.C., making it the first hurricane to make landfall north of Florida in October since Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

    Sandy

    Developing in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 22, Sandy made two landfalls before heading toward the U.S., one in Jamaica and one in eastern Cuba.

    It continued through the Atlantic, parallel to the East Coast, and made a northwest turn, slamming into the Northeast. Even though winds were only at 80 mph at landfall in New Jersey, Sandy was a large storm that brought intense flooding.

    Many cities in New Jersey flooded, and authorities had to evacuate towns. Sandy also flooded seven subway tunnels in NYC, the biggest disaster to happen to the subway system since it was built in the early 1900s.

    In West Virginia, rain turned to 3 feet of snow for some areas, leading to downed trees and hundreds of thousands of power outages.

    FILE – In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, an ambulance is stuck in over a foot of snow off of Highway 33 West near Belington, W.Va. Superstorm Sandy was the first time the National Hurricane Center ever listed snow or blizzard in its warnings. Three feet of snow fell in West Virginia. (AP Photo/Robert Ray)

    Overall, Sandy became one of the deadliest cyclones to hit the Northeast, killing 160 people, and the fifth costliest storm in recorded history with $65 billion in damage.

    Wilma

    2005 had numerous notable storms, and one of those storms was Hurricane Wilma. Wilma developed on Oct. 17 in the Caribbean Sea, and intensified quickly into a Category 5 hurricane before weakening to a Category 4 before its first landfall on Cozumel, Mexico.

    Wilma had the lowest pressure ever recorded in a hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, going from 982 millibars to 882 millibars in just 24 hours. It then moved northeast, making its second landfall as a Category 3 hurricane at Cape Romano in southwestern Florida.

    Over 3 million people lost power, including 98% of Miami’s metro area, and Wilma destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes and cars in southern Florida. Water from the storm surge submerged 60% of Key West, leaving many homes uninhabitable.

    Homeowners cover their roofs in blue tarps to cover damage cause by Hurricane Wilma in Broward County, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005. Frustration mounted on the third day of recovery from Hurricane Wilma, with the scramble for gas, ice, food and water causing long lines and traffic snarls, which prompted renewed criticism of storm planning and response. Miami-Dade County’s mayor called the relief effort “flawed.” (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

    Wilma caused $19 billion in damage and killed 30 people.  

    After Wilma, a major hurricane didn’t strike the U.S. until Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and a hurricane did not strike Florida until Hurricane Hermine in 2016.

    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.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Can two tropical systems collide? The Fujiwhara Effect explained

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    Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto are churning in the western Atlantic. As of Tuesday morning, they are located a little over 400 miles from one another.

    Initially, it could appear that the two storms will merge to generate a mega-hurricane, but this is not the case, due to the Fujiwhara Effect. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Fujiwhara effect is when two storms orbit around a common point

    • It’s an unusual circumstance, especially among tropical systems

    • It usually takes place in the spacious Pacific Ocean, but can occur in any ocean


    So why does this happen? In short, the two low pressure systems rotate around a common center point. 

    What is the Fujiwhara Effect?

    Named for Sakuhei Fujiwhara, a Japanese meteorologist who first noticed storms’ interactions in the 1920s. He theorized that two storms could rotate around a common point and influence tracks of the storms. Fujiwhara was proven correct.

    In some instances these storms look like they are “dancing” with one another. 

    Bay News 9’s Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay says 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.”

    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.

    Imelda, in this case, is the larger storm and is expected to fully absorb Humberto over the next day or so. Wind shear, or the change in wind speed and direction with height, is usually created from the interaction, killing one or both storms.

    2023 Atlantic Ocean Fujiwhara Effect

    Clay says this effect is rare and commonly occurs in the Pacific Ocean because it is the larger ocean, but it can happen in any ocean. 

    Nearly two years ago, a similar occurrence was taking place in the Atlantic Ocean, albeit with weaker storms. Tropical Storms Philippe and Tropical Storm Rina were both located east of the Leeward Islands. 

    They began to do the “dance” of the Fujiwhara Effect and eventually, the stronger storm – Philippe weakened Rina. 

    On Sept. 28, 2023, Tropical Storms Philippe and Rina east of the Leeward Islands, began the Fujiwhara Effect “dance.” (NOAA)

    For interests in the tropics, here is what we are currently tracking. 

    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.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • New Smyrna Beach business shares boat prep for bad weather

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    NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — As Central Florida keeps a close eye on the tropics, a business in Volusia County is preparing for any strong winds or rain that could affect them from Imelda.

    What You Need To Know

    • A boat rental company in New Smyrna Beach prepares its boats for possible bad weather

    • This comes as Tropical Storm Imelda formed over the Bahamas Sunday afternoon

    • Staff have some extra steps they take if they know a storm is coming, such as moving the boats into a warehouse

    Staff at Sand Dollar Boat Rentals in New Smyrna Beach has put everything away and locked it tight to prevent damage to their boats in case a storm rolls in.

    Employee Brittany Cisco put the tops down on dozens of pontoon boats at the marina before clocking out Sunday.

    “We want to make sure, in case there is an extra gust of wind, that it doesn’t blow it up and catch in the wind and either bend it out of shape or put anything in the water,” said Cisco.

    This is her first hurricane season working at Sand Dollar Boat Rentals.

    “It’s been interesting just helping everybody, getting back with the weather,” said Cisco. “So, we’ll see if it gets worse if people do rent.”

    She has a list of tasks to ensure that each boat is prepared in case of bad weather: storing life jackets, tying boats to the docks, parking them together, and locking the boat doors.

    “Most of the time we don’t have too much to worry about as far as that goes cause we stay always prepared because you know Florida, the rain everyday changes so much,” said Cisco.

    If staff know a storm is coming, they will remove the boats from the water and store them in a warehouse.

    “We kind of try to wait until the last minute because you never know what the storm is going to do,” said manager James Brannigan.

    Brannigan says they had some dock damage and flooding years back — describing previous hurricane seasons as “chaos” — but adds it is not a big deal.

    “We deal with it. We’re Floridians,” said Brannigan. “We know it’s going on. It’s going to happen. We fix the docks; put the boats back on the water. It’s a lot of work.”

    The team says the business is open and ready to take people out on the water as long as the weather is safe enough to do so.

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    Emma Delamo

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  • Seasafe Homes Two Build Site Model Cuts Down on Construction Time

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    Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. — Rebuilding a home following a hurricane is far from enjoyable. But it is a choice thousands have made in Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Seasafe Homes in Pinellas County has been helping residents rebuild their homes back stronger following Hurricane Helene

    • Chad Lubke and Mike Zehnder are the owners and say Seasafe Homes uses a dual site process. While living sections are built in Georgia in a protected build center, foundations and pilings are built on site

    • Lubke said this cuts build time by more than 75% compared to traditional coastal builds

    • Currently, Seasafe Homes has 14 homes in progress between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater


    In Pinellas County, there has been a continual buzz for over a year. The buzzing is from the numerous construction projects happening up and down the coastline. 

    Many of the coastal homes are retirement homes. 

    “We were very content,” said Maryalice Walsh. “We had a little one-story, three-bedroom, two-bath home.”

    She and her husband, Patrick Walsh, moved to Indian Rocks Beach in 2019. Their home is in walking distance from the beach, as they are backed up to a canal where their boat sits, and their small pool was crystal clear blue.

    “Life was good,” said Maryalice Walsh. Until it wasn’t. 

    When Hurricane Helene moved through the Gulf, passing by Pinellas County, it brought a storm surge that shocked even the most hurricane-experienced Floridian. 

    “Then 4:30 p.m., the power went out. 8:30 p.m., we had water gushing in, we didn’t evacuate,” said the couple. 

    By midnight, they knew they had to flee their ground-level home. Water was at 4 feet and rising. 

    So, they grabbed their Go Bag and waded in waist-deep water toward a neighbor’s home that was built 12 feet off the ground. 

    They were safe themselves, but Hurricane Helene left its mark. When they returned home, they knew they had lost just about everything. 

    For Maryalice Walsh, she had also lost the will to stay. 

    “I’m done living on the water,” she said thinking back. “I’m out of here. And I just gave everything away.”

    But after about three days of cleaning up, praying, and talking to neighbors, friends and family, the Walshes decided they didn’t want to leave. This was their dream home, in a dream location. 

    So, they made the difficult decision to rebuild. 

    But that decision got easier when they realized a neighbor had just begun a new construction company called Seasafe Homes. 

    “So, our first two houses are going to be within six months from the time that we, you know, basically have a shovel in the ground to when we’re handing the keys over. So that’s kind of unheard of here on the beaches,” said Mike Zehnder, co-owner of Seasafe Homes. 

    He and Chad Lubke started the company. They are both Pinellas County locals and they had an idea on how to build back homes in a faster, stronger way. 

    “So, we call it a dual site process,” said Lubke. “It’s typical construction. We do, we do a piling foundation, we do a big concrete grade beam and then we build the masonry walls and then these big like reinforced columns.” 

    But then, while the foundation is going in, up in Georgia, the living part of the home is being built too. 

    Lubke has been building coastal homes for 20 years. He said by splitting the build locations into two sites, they cut down on the time it takes to rebuild a home by 75%. 

    Typically, when someone rebuilds, it often takes 12 to 18 months. 

    When the interior of the home is completed in Georgia, it is then trucked into Florida. 

    “We have these delivered to the site, they’re about 85% complete,” said Lubke. “So the counter tops are in, the plumbing fixtures are in, a lot of the lighting and things like that are in.”

    With a big crane, they set the main part of the house right on top of the foundation and reinforced columns. 

    Lubke said this process helps cut down the time in one big area of building. 

    “There’s a lot of inspections that are able to be done at our build center, which speeds things up,” said Lubke. 

    The pair say the homes they have built can withstand 180 mph winds and are raised off the ground, usually by 11 feet or more. This design allows for storm surge to flow under the interior of the home. 

    “When everybody was gone and there’s just piles of everybody’s life on the streets. That was really, those were hard times. Those were sad times. All you could wish for was just being normal and hoping that the next time that we’re better prepared,” said Zehnder, when asked if the homes will stand up in the next hurricane. 

    The Walshes are certainly sad about the year they have lost hosting family and friends at their home. 

    “That’s what makes me sad that I’ve lost, I’ve been robbed of a year,” said Maryalice Walsh. “But it’s all going to be better. It’s going to be good.”

    But when in their newly rebuilt home, they can’t help but smile as they show off all the new and sturdier features.

    “Yeah, ten out of ten,” said Maryalice Walsh. 

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    Erin Murray

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  • Tropical Depression Nine expected to become a tropical storm soon

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    Tropical Depression Nine is moving toward the Bahamas and expected to become a tropical storm soon. The next name on the list is Imelda.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropical Depression Nine is moving toward the Bahamas

    • It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda

    • It will bring impacts to the southeastern U.S. early next week


    Tropical Depression Nine has maximum winds of 35 mph. The storm is almost stationary, moving northwest at 2 mph toward the Bahamas. The depression this evening remains fairly disorganized, with convection mainly oriented in a north-south fashion with only a hint of banding on the northern side.

    It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda and then eventually into a hurricane as it heads north toward the southeastern coast. There is still above-average uncertainty in the details of the long-range forecast. It is notable to point out the system has been moving slower than anticipated over the last 12-24 hours, and this could have significant implications on its ultimate track.

    In general, models agree that the presence of Hurricane Humberto to the east will result in a weakening of steering currents, causing the system to slow down and meander near the southeast U.S. coast on Tuesday. The offical NHC track now favors a slower storm and a track that turns sharper to the east, keeping it farther away from the U.S. coast. Fewer models are showing a landfalling tropical cyclone.

    Even with a high degree of uncertainty, there is a threat of heavy rainfall early next week from portions of the east coast of Florida northward into the Carolinas, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding.

    Tropical Depression 9 is expected to be at or near hurricane intensity when it is closest to the southeast U.S. coast early next week, where there is a risk of storm surge and wind impacts. Although it is too soon to be specific about track and intensity, residents should closely monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.


    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.

    Models show the system approaching the coast of Georgia and South Carolina and slowing down. It could make landfall or turn back out into the Atlantic before moving inland.


    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.

    Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Bahamas. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect up Florida’s East Coast.


    The threat for significant rainfall and flash flooding is expected across parts of the Southeast throughout early next week regardless of where Tropical Depression Nine goes. 


    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.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Madeira Beach hero meets with neighbor he saved during storm

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    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Last year’s storms took a toll on so many Bay Area communities. Some lost everything they owned.

    Some even lost their lives. 

    But there were also a number of heroes who came out of the storms with memorable stories.

    What You Need To Know

    • Michael Greenstein jumped into action when storm surge from Hurricane Helene sent water inside the first-floor condos, where he lives

    • Greenstein saved three of his elderly neighbors and a cat

    • One of the neighbors he saved has known him since he was three years old

    • Greenstein has been honored by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for his bravery
    • PREVIOUS: Madeira Beach man climbs through windows to rescue elderly neighbors from flood waters


    Right after Hurricane Helene, we spoke with a Madeira Beach man who saved three of his elderly neighbors from storm surge the night of the storm.

    We checked in with him a year later along with one of the people he saved.

    Last September, Michael Greenstein detailed the remarkable story of how he waded through floodwaters in the middle of the night, risking his own life to save not one, not two, but three of his elderly neighbors and a cat during Hurricane Helene.

    Connie Noren, 87, was one of those neighbors.

    “It’s very scary. I didn’t know whether we were going to make it,” she said.

    She sat down with Greenstein a year later, and their recollection of that night still very vivid.

    Noren remembered how Greenstein saved their neighbor, who’s in her 90s and hearing impaired.

    “She would’ve died that night I think, because the water was up to the mattress ,” Noren said.

    “Yeah, she was floating on the bed. The bed was floating,” said Greenstein.

    Noren said she’s known Greenstein since he was about three years old. She said the night of the storm reminded her of the times her family took Greenstein out on their boat with her grandkids when he was just a little boy.

    “He was so mad at me that day because we made him wear a life jacket. And he was just stomping around, because, ‘How come I have to wear a life jacket, and the other guys don’t have to wear a life jacket?’ And I said, Michael, you’re just a little guy you need to,’” Noren said.

    During last year’s storms, she laughed and said that those roles reversed. 

    “Now for him to come save me from the water, that was the joke,” Noren said.

    “Yeah, you needed a life jacket that day,” Greenstein said, laughing.

    Noren’s waterfront condo filled with water during the storm and it’s still under construction.

    Greenstein also rescued Noren’s older son that night. He’s back at home now. The other elderly neighbor moved closer to family in Utah according to Noren. 

    As for Noren, she says recovery has been difficult.

    “I’ve just been going from condo to condo to survive,” she said. 

    She’s thankful renovations are almost done and even more thankful for her neighbor and friend, Greenstein, who’s had his heroism celebrated twice since we last saw him. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office honored him with two different awards.

    Greenstein said so much has changed since last September.

    “At the time, I definitely had the adrenaline flowing a few weeks after that,” he said.

    The adrenaline rush from those rescues may be over, but his desire to do good in the world after all of this — that’s one of the things, he says, this experience has taught him to focus on everyday.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Historic Anna Maria church shines bright despite hurricane damage

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    ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Nearly one year after Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of Anna Maria Island, the three cities that make up the barrier island are still working to recover. 

    In the heart of Anna Maria, the City Pier still sits closed. The state budget has allocated more than $1.5 million to rebuild the pier, which will cost anywhere from $6 million to $9 million.

    What You Need To Know

    • The chapel at Roser Church was closed for nearly eight months after sustaining water damage

    • Church leaders and parishioners worked together to restore historic church

    • The chapel was built in 1913 and has a long history 

    • Anna Maria City Pier will likely be closed until late 2026


    The city’s mayor says they are working with FEMA and Manatee County to secure additional funding to finish the project. Their goal is to reopen the pier by fall 2026.

    In Bradenton Beach, the large yellow house that sits facing the beach on Gulf Drive that was infamously blown over during Hurricane Milton still sits in the same spot. While power has been disconnected and fencing erected on the property, the house itself sits almost untouched, pulling the eyes of drivers and pedestrians.


    Roser Church, which sits on Pine Ave in Anna Maria, is back open following months of renovations.

    Parishioner and church leader Bill Marini says that as soon as the bridges reopened following the hurricanes, he rushed to the church before checking on his own home.

    “I just had to get here… and my wife said, ‘That’s fine – we’ll go!’” he recalled. “God was just leading me to come… he wanted me to come here to see.”

    Marini says he discovered water had come up through the original wood floors of the chapel, and much of the electrical system had fried. He worked quickly to get contractors and a remediation company to the church, which saved some of the century-old wood and fixtures.

    While Marini re-painted each of the church’s 17 rooms, a team of church leaders and congregation members assisted with other projects to help bring the historic building back to life.

    Pastor Dirk Rodgers also felt the responsibility that comes with leading such a historic church. Pastor Dirk says the church has always been non-denominational, long before that was a popular term. So after the hurricanes, he knew he had to keep the spirit of his community strong.

    “Really my burden was… how can we continue to give people hope?,” he said.

    In the days following the storm, Pastor Dirk led a church service outside for hundreds of people.

    “It’s just great to be a part of that organization that refuses to go down… we’re gonna be here,” he said.


     

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    Angie Angers

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  • Raising Hope: A record number of homeowners are elevating

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    Pinellas County, Fla. — The look and feel of hurricane recovery and rebuilding started changing dramatically in 2005 after the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Hurricane recovery and rebuilding has changed dramatically since 2005 after Hurricane Katrina

    •  After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homeowners on the coast are opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers

    • St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee

    • The entire process of lifting a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors


    The house lifting industry gained national visibility in the years that followed and expanded further following other major storms, including Superstorm Sandy, that devastated the northeast in 2012, and the historic flooding in Texas after Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in 2017.

    “Once Katrina hit, we started learning about the whole industry, and there really wasn’t an industry before that hurricane,” said JAS Builders Co-owner and CEO Jeff Trosclair.

    “When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey and Long Island, the industry started migrating in that direction and lifting homes up there, but it really has not been something we’ve seen in these numbers here in Florida until recently,” Trosclair continued.

    Over the past 12 months since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Bay Area homeowners in coastal communities and beyond have been opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers, according to building officials.

    “Before the hurricanes, we may have only received calls for a few houses a year, but following Helene and Milton, we received thousands of calls for help from homeowners wanting to protect their property from future storms,” said JAS Builders Founder and Co-Owner Albert Jasuan.

    “Now, we’re transforming communities. It’s not just one or two houses per neighborhood. We’re transforming whole neighborhoods and whole streets. Everyone is calling us because they see what their neighbors are doing to stay connected to their communities, and they want to do it as well,” Jasuan added.

    Currently, St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee. The entire process to lift a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors, including the size of the home, structural upgrades and plumbing and electrical modifications.

    “Some of these homes have flooded multiple times, and people are tired of dealing with extensive damage and ready to get them up to mitigate their risks,” said Jasuan standing in front of a Treasure Island home where JAS crews are almost done elevating the structure 14-feet high.

    “We don’t just lift the home. We get it out of harm’s way forever for the lifetime of the home and the lifetime of the person that wants to be there,” Jasuan continued.

    Every project is deeply personal for his co-owner, whose childhood home in New Orleans, where his mother still lives, flooded four times and was eventually elevated with help from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina in 2006.

    “Each storm left scars: favorite toys that were lost, family treasures ruined, and my parents shouldering the crushing stress of starting over again. So, this type of work really hits home for me,” said Trosclair.

    With a mission of building community resiliency, the co-owners of JAS Builders, along with nearly 200 employees, strive to bring safety, peace of mind and hope to hurricane-damaged communities.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • South Pasadena couple gives update one year after Hurricane Helene

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hours after Hurricane Helene sent floodwaters and storm surge into homes all over the Bay area, families were clearing out their homes and assessing the damage.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Winkler and his wife, Connie, had a lot of damage in South Pasadena from Hurricane Helene
    • The couple had just finished renovating their South Pasadena home right before Helene. A year later, and their house is a shell
    • They were fortunate to be able to purchase a new home after living in a rental property all year

    Dave Winkler and his wife, Connie, had a lot of damage in South Pasadena. We watched as they washed their shoes that had been floating in floodwater. The couple cleared out everything they owned. A year later, and their house is a shell.

    Dave can still picture the kitchen, then and now. “It looked like the spin cycle on a washing machine, refrigerators upside down, couches floated and displaced themselves,” he said.

    Their bedroom and bathroom on the day of the storm and 12 months later are empty without the water-soaked carpet and bedroom set.

    Then there’s the pool. It was dark green when we were here last; now, crystal clear.

    “I had fish in the pool, and when I tried to drain it a few weeks later we actually had barnacles growing on the side of the pool,” Dave said.

    Dave said he used chemicals to clean and cut drywall to prevent molding. But there’s no real remedy to wash away the pain Hurricane Helene’s storm surge left behind.

    “It’s just sad. All of that effort, time, money and memories,” he said.

    The memories that date back decades in their house.

    “I gave the house to my mother, and she lived here for 20 years,” Dave said. “And when she passed, I came over and of course 20 years had gone by, and it needed a little bit of remodeling again and I decided to really expand the footprint of the house.”

    The couple had just finished renovating their South Pasadena home right before Hurricane Helene.

    “As you can see from my permitting in South Pasadena, my final, final inspection was on Sept. 12, 2024, just weeks before the storm,” he said.

    When they think about what their house looked like one year after the storm, there’s still a flood of emotions. Especially when they think about what was lost.  

    “I don’t care if you’re at Home Depot or out to breakfast; they’re still talking about it. It was absolutely traumatic for mostly everybody. It’s just how you deal with that afterwards,” Dave said.

    They were fortunate to be able to purchase a new home after living in a rental property all year.

    “Our entire lifetime now fits in half of a bedroom. That’s all the stuff we were able to save,” Connie said.

    They’ve tried to sell their South Pasadena home as is — but they want what it’s worth, so they’re going to renovate once again.

    “We just recently signed an agreement to hire a contractor because I didn’t want to go through it again. It was just too difficult,” Dave said.

    The only work they’re doing this time around is keeping their spirits up and remaining optimistic.

    “Let’s hope it’s a onetime thing and that we can put this behind us,” Dave said.

    They’re putting it behind them and on the market for someone else to enjoy.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Helene and Milton: Faces of Recovery

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    TAMPA, Fla. – A major hurricane had not struck the Tampa Bay area directly in more than a century. That streak ended abruptly last year with back-to-back storms, leaving behind destruction from which the region is still recovering today.

    In this special report, we’re back in the height of another hurricane season. So, we’re taking you to different communities around west Florida and over on the east coast to assess the ongoing recovery and reveal the lessons learned.

    One year ago, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm in the Big Bend region of our state. Even though the Tampa Bay area didn’t take a direct hit, the region still sustained major impacts.

    Storm surge would reach heights of six to eight feet in some areas, more than we have seen in decades and maybe more than some Floridians have seen in their whole lives.

    Then, just 13 days later, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, just five miles from Sarasota, as a Category 3 storm. It brought heavy rainfall and damaging winds to our area, further wrecking communities that were already struggling to recover from Helene. The winds even ripped the roof off Tropicana Field, damage that is still being repaired today. 

    The storm would continue to move through the state, producing an outbreak of tornadoes — the most in Florida — in a single day.

    After the storms last year, a drive down the streets of a South Pasadena neighborhood revealed countless people picking up the pieces of what was left. Now, the neighbors who are left describe it as a ghost town. A couple who lost their home right after the storm — then again, more recently — and those raw emotions are still there. 

    Connie Winkler standing in front of their pool this year and last year.

    One thing that has become more popular in beach towns is seeing more elevated homes. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the house-lifting industry gained national visibility. It expanded more through the years after other major storms hit the United States. Locally, you used to see one or two elevated homes in an entire neighborhood, but now you will see entire communities transformed.  

    Crews from JAS Builders in the final stages of elevation for a Treasure Island home (Erica Riggins/Spectrum News)

    Crews from JAS Builders in the final stages of elevation for a Treasure Island home (Erica Riggins/Spectrum News)

    On the east coast of Florida, Earl Wischmeier’s home flooded in 2022 from both Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. He has now opted to raise his home to avoid future floodwaters and opt out of coverage to insure it. Here’s what his recovery looks like and how he feels about the process. 

    Earl Wischmeier's elevated home. (Spectrum News/Asher Wildman)

    Earl Wischmeier’s elevated home. (Spectrum News/Asher Wildman)

    In Manatee County, there are some homes that look almost untouched one year later. One house was completely knocked off its stilts, and another that was pushed completely off its foundation. Those houses are pretty much in the same condition as they were left after the storm. There are signs around the property warning people to stay away, as well as part of a trailer that was crushed under the home that was next to it.  

     

    Fifteen minutes up the coast, and one Anna Maria icon is looking to make a comeback. The city is in the process of restoring the city pier. The state budget allocated more than $1 million in funding to rebuild the pier. City leaders believe it will cost between $6 – $9 million to repair the entire pier, including the restaurant. The mayor of Anna Maria says they are working with FEMA and the county to seek extra funding. The city has set a goal of reopening the pier by late fall of next year.

    But, overall, the three cities that make up Anna Maria Island — Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach — have come a long way and for some residents, it’s been a full-time job. Here’s a look at how the recovery effort for the centerpiece of the city of Anna Maria rushed to get back open.

    While Hurricane Helene caused major storm surge, Hurricane Milton dropped a record amount of rain. In St. Petersburg, 18 inches of rain fell in 24 hours. Tampa also saw about one foot of rain in one day. And just like we saw with Helene, many water rescues were performed after Milton. 

    In Clearwater, first responders rescued more than 500 people from the Standard Apartments when it flooded. In some areas, the water was neck-deep. It was Pinellas County’s largest water rescue on record. A manager at the apartment complex said they’re now renting some apartments, but other units are still being repaired.  

    In Tampa, the Forest Hills neighborhood also sustained quite a bit of flood damage, even though the neighborhood is not in a flood zone or near the coast. Nearby retention ponds overflowed, and pump stations couldn’t get the water out fast enough. We spoke to a resident to see how the last 12 months of recovery have been and what the city is doing to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

    Forest Hills, Oct. 2024 (Courtesy: Rob Seal)

    Forest Hills, Oct. 2024 (Courtesy: Rob Seal)

    While Milton caused a lot of damage along Florida’s west coast, its heavy rain also caused major flooding problems to areas inland, including areas along the St. Johns River. If you were to visit the area now, you would see people still repairing flood damage, as well as bracing for what could come next.

    People living along the St. Johns River in Seminole County brace for what could come next, while still repairing flood damage from Hurricane Milton one year ago. (Philip Petersen, Spectrum News staff)

    People living along the St. Johns River in Seminole County brace for what could come next, while still repairing flood damage from Hurricane Milton one year ago. (Philip Petersen, Spectrum News staff)

    One popular beach destination in Hernando County is back open to the public. For many, Pine Island Beach Park is a beloved slice of paradise for visitors to unwind and soak in the Florida sun, but the park was forced to close after damage sustained from the hurricanes. Here, we take a look at the newly reopened park and how it is back to helping people create new, lasting memories.

    For many, like Gabriella Schianodicola, Pine Island Beach Park is a beloved slice of paradise for visitors to unwind and enjoy the Florida sun. But the park was forced to close after damage sustained from hurricanes Helene and Milton. (Spectrum News)

    For many, like Gabriella Schianodicola, Pine Island Beach Park is a beloved slice of paradise for visitors to unwind and enjoy the Florida sun. But the park was forced to close after damage sustained from hurricanes Helene and Milton. (Spectrum News)

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Heavy rain floods Lakeland street; residents call for drainage fixes

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Heavy rain Wednesday afternoon flooded parts of Easton Drive in Lakeland, damaging a brick road that city crews quickly began repairing.

    Neighbors said several inches of water collected at a the intersection of Easton Drive and Derbyshire Avenue before rushing toward homes. A neighborhood resident, Terris (whose last name is being withheld) has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. He said this was the third time the street has flooded this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents say Easton Drive is known to flood, with Wednesday’s rain sending about 3 inches of water

    • Residents blame undersized pipes in the drainage system for the flooding and hope the city will replace them

    • Lakeland officials repaired the damaged brick road but said paving the street would be a more permanent solution


    “When we get a little hard rain, it’s a frequent occurrence. I’m tired of it,” he said, adding that floodwaters reached about three inches in less than an hour.

    Terris pointed to the community’s drainage system as part of the problem.

    “It’s the pipes that’s in the manholes. These smaller pipes that were built out and those smaller pipes can’t handle the water,” he said.

    While he doesn’t blame the city, Terris said he hopes officials will replace the aging pipes soon. In the meantime, he is grateful for the workers who step in to help his neighborhood recover, time and time again.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Lakeland said:

    “We are aware that Easton sustained damage from last night’s heavy rains. The affected area was the brick street section, where the underlayment was washed out due to the significant rainfall. Our crews were on site as this occurred and have already completed necessary repairs. While we understand the neighborhood’s preference to preserve the brick streets, paving the entire roadway would provide a long-term solution to prevent this issue from recurring.”

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    Alexis Jones

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  • 130 seniors left with few options one year after hurricanes

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of seniors say they’re in a bind and could end up with nowhere to go, because of the way their storm-damaged mobile homes have been assessed.

    In March, 235 homeowners in the Gateway Mobile Home Community off 4th Street received substantial damage letters. The letters from Pinellas County gave the affected homeowners the options of moving their mobile home to higher ground, building a new home up to current flood standards, or elevating their current home. A fourth option would be to pay for home demolition and vacate the community entirely.

    The community is restricted to residents 55 and older.

    What You Need To Know

    •  130 seniors in 55+ community still affected one year later

    •  Residents given options to lift or rebuild homes or move out of community entirely 

    •  Many who recieved substantial damage letters say their homes were minimally damaged 

    • Owners of Gateway advocating for residents 


    Bonnie Sisco, who has lived in her home in the Gateway community for the past 15 years, received one of the substantial damage letters. She says her front porch and part of her roof was damaged, but flood water never made it inside of her home. Her home was repaired before she received the letter in March.

    Her inspection and assessment, she says, claims water intrusion and valued her home at $16,000.

    “My air conditioner never even went out. The flood water never made it inside,” she Sisco said.

    Sisco says due to the age of her home, it can’t be lifted or moved. Her only options would be to demolish her home, which she says is in great condition.

     


    “I put all my money into this. So if our options are to buy another place… I don’t have money to go and buy another house or pay to have this demolished,” she said. “They’re going to have a lot of homeless seniors.”

    Darna Lopez, regional sales manager for Gateway Mobile Homes, says she understands that Pinellas County needs to make things safer for the future but hopes it can be done reasonably.

    “We call on Pinellas County to reconsider its approach and adopt a more reasonable and compassionate valuation process—one that takes into account the real costs of repairs, the true condition of the homes, and the residents’ desire to remain in their homes and the community they love. We also want the County recognize the true fair market value of the homes, as they do for other types of residential dwellings, instead of valuing manufactured homes more like used cars. Our residents should not be forced out of their homes due to impractical demands or unfair assessments,” she said in a written statement.

    Lopez estimates about 130 homes are still affected. The remainder of the residents who received the letters have either moved or successfully appealed.

    Pinellas County Public Information Coordinator John Carkeet says the inspections were done under FEMA guidelines, and referred homeowners to apply for disaster recovery money that will become available in the coming months.

    “Pinellas County conducted substantial damage inspections at Gateway Mobile Home Park and other storm-impacted areas under FEMA’s federally mandated guidelines. Residents had the opportunity to request reassessments and appeals, and we continue to provide guidance on next steps. Our focus is on helping homeowners pursue  recovery plans and connecting them with resources such as the upcoming Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which will provide financial assistance for eligible residents. For more information, residents may visit recovery.pinellas.gov for recovery resources or pinellas.gov/stormpermits for storm damage permitting,” he wrote in a statement to Spectrum Bay News 9.

    Sisco has appealed to a special magistrate and has a hearing scheduled for early October.

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    Angie Angers

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  • The peak of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is here

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    Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean spans June through November, and this year was forecasted to be near to above average.

    What You Need To Know

    • The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season was forecasted to be near to above average

    • Through early Sept. 2025, there have only been six named storms

    • The climatological peak of hurricane season is on Sept. 10


    However, as we approach the climatological peak of the season, we’ve only had six named storms. 

    2025 Atlantic Season predictions

    Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University (CSU) made their seasonal forecasts back in May and updated them in August. The latest outlooks predict an above-average season: 13 to 18 tropical cyclones (down from 13 to 19 named storms) for NOAA and 16 named storms for CSU (down from 17 to 24 named storms).

    The new predictions include the six named storms we’ve already seen. The average number of named storms is around 14 per season.

    How the season began

    Tropical Storm Andrea formed on June 23, 2025. This marked the latest start to a season since 2014. 

    Next, Tropical Storm Barry formed toward the end of June and made landfall in Veracruz, Mexico. 

    After Barry, Tropical Storm Chantal impacted the southeastern U.S. The storm made landfall in South Carolina on July 6, bringing tropical storm force-winds and flooding rainfall to the Carolinas. 

    Flooding from Chantal at Cooper Road at the Haw River canoe access in Graham, North Carolina. (Graham Police Department)

    Tropical Storm Dexter followed, and next, Hurricane Erin. Erin became a large and powerful Category 5 storm. The storm stayed well off the coast of the U.S., but it brought dangerous rip currents to most of the eastern seaboard.

    Tropical Storm Fernand formed in mid-August and stayed offshore. Here’s a look at the 2025 hurricane season so far. 

    Since then, there has been a lull in tropical activity. 

    Still a lot of the season to go

    In September and early October, storms are most likely to form in the central Atlantic and the Caribbean. However, as more frontal boundaries move through the U.S. at this time, it’s possible for tropical cyclones to develop along old fronts in the Gulf of Mexico and off of the southeast coast. 

    “We are just coming up on the halfway mark of the hurricane season, usually the time of peak activity,” says Dr. Frank Marks, a meteorologist in the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. 

    Don’t let the lull in the Atlantic lull you to sleep. As we approach the peak with quiet conditions, there’s still plenty of time for more storms to develop.

    Notable September and October tropical cyclones

    Even though many may be focused on fall, hurricane season is ongoing! There have been many tropical cyclones that have formed and made landfall in September and October. 

    Just last year, Hurricane Milton formed in October and rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm in the Gulf of America. This was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded over the Gulf since Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, FL.

    While the outlook over the next seven days looks quiet in the Atlantic, make sure you’re focusing on the forecast as conditions in the open waters can change. Tracking the Tropics.

    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.

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • Citrus County requests public input for disaster recovery grant

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    Citrus County is applying for federal Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery funds to help address impacts from recent major storm events that include last year’s hurricanes.

    The public is being offered the opportunity to weigh in with an online survey.

    The funding supports long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and mitigation efforts to protect communities against future storm events. No local match is required for this application.

    The county’s application focuses on what it calls three critical infrastructure projects:

    1. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project: Rehabilitation of deteriorated gravity sewer lines, manholes and pump stations to reduce stormwater intrusion and prevent sanitary sewer overflows that threaten sensitive environmental areas.
    2. Ozello Trail Shoulder Washout Repair: Stabilization and repair of storm-damaged roadway shoulders along Ozello Trail to ensure safe and reliable access for residents, visitors and emergency responders.
    3. Industrial Park Road Resurfacing: Roadway and drainage improvements in the Original Holder Industrial Park to support existing businesses and encourage new industrial development. 

    Final award amounts will be determined by FloridaCommerce.

    The comment period runs through Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tracking powerful hurricane Kiko as it heads towards Hawaii

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    Kiko formed off the coast of southern Mexico from a tropical wave. It became a tropical storm on Aug. 31, making it the eleventh named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season. Kiko intensified into a hurricane on Sept. 2. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Kiko is the eleventh named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season

    • It remains a major, powerful hurricane

    • Models have Hurricane Kiko moving close, but to the north of the Hawaiian Islands next week


    Kiko intensified into a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 3. It weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph during the morning hours on Sept. 5, but by the afternoon it had re-intensified back into a Category 4 hurricane.

    It currently has maximum winds of 140 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 10 mph and is located roughly 1000 miles east-southeast of Hilo, HI.

    It is a much smaller storm than Hurricane Erin. Hurricane-force winds extend only 25 miles out from the center, with tropical storm-force winds extending 70 miles out from the center. 


    Models have Kiko taking a west-northwesterly track over the weekend into next week, coming close to Hawaii. 

    While it’s too soon for impact details, the cooler waters near the Aloha State should weaken Kiko greatly. We’ll continue to monitor the track and provide updates. 


     

    Storms that have come close to Hawaii

    Hurricane Hone passed just to the south of the Big Island of Hawaii in 2024 as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. Here are other cyclones that came close to the islands.

    Eastern North Pacific names

    Central North Pacific differences

    The National Hurricane Center monitors tropical activity in the Atlantic and North Eastern Pacific Ocean. If a storm forms between 140° West longitude and the International Date Line, it is the responsibility of the Central North Pacific Warning Center, located in Honolulu, HI. 

    There is a contrast in the names used in the Central Pacific compared to the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic. One list is composed of twelve names. 

    The names are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is at the top of the next list. Below is the current list. 

    It is interesting to note that if a storm forms in the Eastern North Pacific and is named in that basin, it will retain its name even if it moves into the Central North Pacific. For this reason, we are tracking Hurricane Kiko, since it formed east of 140° West longitude.

    Tropical Storm Akoni and Tropical Storm Ema formed in the Central North Pacific in 2019. Hurricane Hone brushed past Hawaii in 2024.

    This list will continue to be used until there is a storm named Wale. Three other lists have been generated by the World Meteorological Organization and are at the ready if needed. Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli formed in the Central North Pacific in 2025.

    Just like in the Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific, if storms are impactful, they can be retired. Four storms have been retired in the Central North Pacific. 

    • Iwa (1982): Retired after impacting Hawaii.
    • Iniki (1992): Retired after affecting Hawaii.
    • Paka (1997): Retired after affecting various islands in Micronesia.
    • Ioke (2006): Retired after impacting Micronesia.

    You can track the rest of the tropics here. 

    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.

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  • Models have Hawaii in Hurricane Kiko’s path

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    Kiko formed off the coast of southern Mexico from a tropical wave. It became a tropical storm on Aug. 31, making it the fourteenth named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season. Kiko intensified into a hurricane on Sept. 2. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Kiko is the fourteenth named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season

    • It intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum winds of 130 mph

    • Models have Hurricane Kiko moving close to the Hawaiian Islands next week


    Kiko intensified into a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 3, and currently has maximum winds of 130 mph. It is moving west at 9 mph and is located nearly 1600 miles east of Hilo, HI.


    Models have Kiko taking a west-northwesterly track over the weekend into next week, coming close to Hawaii. 

    While it’s too soon for impact details, the cooler waters near the Aloha State should weaken Kiko greatly. We’ll continue to monitor the track and provide updates. 


     

    Hurricane Hone passed just to the south of the Big Island of Hawaii in 2024 as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. Here are other cyclones that came close to the islands.

    You can track the rest of the tropics here. 

    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.

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  • Gulfport seeking a commitment from residents to evacuate ahead of a major storm

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Nearly a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Gulfport is still deep in hurricane recovery and rebuilding, with more than 500 homes and businesses being reviewed for substantial damage. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Nearly a year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Gulfport is still deep in hurricane recovery and rebuilding

    • Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding remain vivid in the minds of residents and Gulfport City Council member Marlene Shaw

    • City leaders describe the process as transitioning from reactive to proactive by encouraging neighbors to prioritize safety during hurricanes


    Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding remain vivid in the minds of residents and Gulfport City Council member Marlene Shaw.

    “I’ve lived in Florida and Pinellas County for 43-years, and then I’ve lived in Gulfport for 31 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this, whether it be the flash floods or the hurricanes,” said Shaw who represents Ward 2 in the coastal community.

    “One of the takeaways I had from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Summit on Resiliency wasn’t only the Pledge to Evacuate, but it was also that we need to learn to live with water, and so it’s not only a resource that we need to be aware of to conserve, but we also need to prepare for the impacts of it. Weather is completely unpredictable,” Shaw added.

    She recently spearheaded the effort to implement the Pledge to Evacuate for Gulfport residents with an online resource that helps inform residents how to prepare for storm season and requires them to formally acknowledge hurricane preparedness criteria with their signature and personal contact information.

    City leaders describe the process as transitioning from reactive to proactive by encouraging neighbors to prioritize safety.

    “We see our neighbors commit to things and then we become more open to committing to that as well. We need that culture of preparedness and to encourage each other. I’ve worked with communities for a number of decades now, and people are very inclined to say, ‘Well, I want to stay in my own home,’ and yet they don’t realize afterwards when we’re without power that there’s there is no way for the first responders to be able to help, and of course, we don’t want to endanger them,” Shaw said.

    It’s a situation that Gulfport resident Jimmy Pagani lived through last fall when he decided to ride out the storm in his home that sits across the street from the beach.

    Fearing for his life with floodwaters up to his neck, he says he’ll never forget the night of Sept. 26 last year when the water and waves from Boca Ciega Bay were banging on his front window. He had to walk several blocks to safety while holding his cell phone high in the air, which prevented him from swimming.

    “I have lived in Florida 40 years and never evacuated a storm ever, and I’ll probably never sit through one again,” said Pagani.

    “Do whatever you can to secure your house and make it as watertight as possible, and then go on, leave the area and come back later,” he added.

    Pagani agrees wholeheartedly with city leaders’ efforts to urge residents to get out of harm’s way.

    “Storm surge and evacuate zones are based upon storm surge elevation,” said city spokesperson Justin Shea. “For example, if A, B and C zones order to evacuate, you just have to get to a D zone to be safe from the surge. Know where you’re going to go. Know what you’re going to do with your pets. Know what shelters are available in the area. Get all those tools together, and the pledge is another way to activate that process,” Shea continued.

    In addition to the online pledge, the city has a comprehensive list of resources on its recently launched Hurricane Center website.

    “By making the pledge, residents and businesses commit to developing and evacuation plan, understanding their evacuation zone, packing a personal go-bag, and following instructions of local emergency officials,” said Shea.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • A look back at Hurricane Katrina, 20 years later

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    Hurricane Katrina remains infamous as one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Katrina reached Category 5 status but made landfall as a Category 3 with winds of 125 mph

    • Record storm surge was reported across the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines

    • 80% of New Orleans was under water on Aug. 31, 2005


    20 years ago on Aug. 29, it made its strongest landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in southeast Louisiana and brought devastation across the city of New Orleans and surrounding parishes.

    Meteorological history

    Hurricane Katrina developed from the remnants of Tropical Depression Ten and a tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles. It became Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on Aug. 23.

    On Aug. 24, it was classified as Tropical Storm Katrina, and it moved through the northwestern part of the Bahamas on Aug. 25. It strengthened into a hurricane on the evening of Aug. 25 just before making its first landfall near the Miami-Dade/Broward County line.

    The storm drifted southwest across southern Florida before moving over the eastern Gulf on Aug. 26. Over the warm waters of the Gulf, Katrina rapidly intensified, becoming a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph on Aug. 28.

    A satellite image of Hurricane Katrina prior to making landfall on Aug. 29, 2005. (NOAA)

    Katrina turned to the northwest and then north, making its second landfall near Buras, LA, in the southeastern part of the state on Aug. 29. It had weakened to a Category 3, with winds of 125 mph, just before landfall.

    Approximately five hours later, Katrina made a third landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border with winds estimated at 120 mph, still a Category 3 hurricane.


    Katrina moved over land and weakened but still maintained hurricane strength near Laurel, Mississippi. It was finally downgraded to a tropical depression on Aug. 30 before dissipating altogether on Aug. 31.

    Katrina’s impacts

    Katrina wasn’t just a Louisiana/Mississippi storm; at its height, it was 780 miles from east to west and about the same distance from north to south. Hurricane conditions were reported in southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama, with storm surges reported as far east as Destin, FL.

    Storm surge affected coastal regions, with a 20-mile-wide swath of 24 to 28 feet along the Mississippi Coast. The highest surge was at Pass Christian, MS, at 27.8 feet. The storm surge was so high that it overtopped the levees in the city of New Orleans, leading to levee failures and extensive flooding. 80% of New Orleans was under water on Aug. 31.

    The damage and destruction it caused equated to $125 billion (un-adjusted 2005 dollars). Not to mention the thousands of lives lost.

    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.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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