Florida flooding four months after hurricane Milton - February 2, 2025
Meteorology Matters summarizes the ongoing challenges faced by communities in Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in October 2024. While some recovery efforts have been completed, many areas, particularly in Pasco County and on Anna Maria Island, continue to grapple with severe flooding, economic strain, and bureaucratic hurdles. The long-term implications include potential population shifts and escalating insurance costs.
Key Themes and Findings:
- Devastating Flooding and Prolonged Recovery:
- Hurricane Milton, which hit October 9-10, brought significant rainfall (over 15 inches in some areas like Tampa to Daytona Beach) leading to severe flooding, especially in the interior of Florida due to its flat geography.
- "Hurricane Milton, which struck on October 9-10, plunged parts of Florida, from Tampa to Daytona Beach, under more than 15 inches of rain."
- The Withlacoochee River reached its third-highest crest on record (19.68 feet) ten days after the storm.
- Flood warnings in areas like Ridge Manor remained active for 34 consecutive days, highlighting the persistent nature of the flooding.
- Some areas of Pasco County, specifically in Dade City and near Zephyrhills, remain flooded 4 months after the storms.
- Properties in neighborhoods like Hickory Hills in Dade City are still partially underwater, with some residents needing to drive through neighbors’ yards or use boats to access their homes.
- "Dozens of properties in the Hickory Hills neighborhood of Dade City remain partially underwater, including Victor Lemus', who has to drive through a neighbor's yard to access the road."
- Struggling Communities and Logistical Challenges:
- Communities are facing significant logistical issues, with residents resorting to using airboats to reach polling places during the 2024 presidential election.
- "Overwhelmed by such water levels, residents found themselves not just facing flooded homes but also desperate logistical challenges to vote; many opted for airboat rides to cast their ballots during the 2024 presidential election."
- The lack of accessibility to flooded properties in Pasco County raises concerns about medical emergencies and fire hazards, with residents expressing worries about first responders being unable to reach them.
- Slow and Inadequate Recovery Efforts:Recovery efforts for local governments and public utilities have been slow.
- State-owned pumps initially used to remove water in Pasco County were redeployed in December, leaving residents to deal with the flooding on their own.
- "According to a Pasco County spokesperson, state-owned pumps were used to help remove water from these areas following Hurricanes Helene and Milton... Those pumps, however, were 're-deployed' elsewhere in December..."
- Pasco County authorities cite that they cannot pump water from private property, leaving residents feeling abandoned and blaming the county and FEMA for not providing needed assistance.
- "the flooding is on private property, and the county is not able to pump water from private property."
- "They told FOX 13 they haven't been able to get any assistance from FEMA, or from their local and state elected officials."
- Residents in Pasco County also believe infrastructure and stormwater management have not kept pace with growth which has exacerbated the flooding issue.
- "They said infrastructure in the area hasn’t kept up with explosive growth, and stormwater from elsewhere is ending up trapped there with nowhere to go."
