News Summary
Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg will hold a press conference to address recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by residents. The event coincides with the anniversary of the hurricane and will be broadcast live. City officials are managing significant repair projects, including Tropicana Field, as the community grapples with the aftermath of severe storms. Additional discussions will cover the future of the Tampa Bay Rays and the city’s utility rate increase for essential infrastructure improvements.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is set to address ongoing recovery efforts during a press conference scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, marking the anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024. The press conference will take place at Tropicana Field, located at 1 Tropicana Drive in the Historic Gas Plant District, and will be broadcast live on 10 Tampa Bay+.
Residents of St. Petersburg continue to face significant challenges in recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and subsequent storms, including Hurricane Milton, which impacted the Tampa Bay area and caused visible damage to Tropicana Field. City officials are currently engaged in repairs, with repair costs originally estimated at $55.7 million potentially rising to $59.7 million.
The ongoing recovery has prompted discussions regarding the future of the Tampa Bay Rays, especially following Major League Baseball’s approval of a $1.7 billion sale of the team to new ownership. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has proposed possible locations for a new ballpark, including Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus and a waterfront site in Ybor City, as the timeline for repairs at Tropicana Field continues to extend.
In the Shore Acres neighborhood, homeowner Arthur Finegold described the flooding of his house, which was inundated with three feet of water during Hurricane Helene, resulting in extensive damage to furniture and personal belongings. He expressed frustration over the lengthy permitting process for repairs, stating that their application for assistance through the Elevate Florida program was denied, which has compounded their financial responsibilities with ongoing rent and mortgage payments.
Since the storms, St. Petersburg city officials have processed nearly 14,400 post-disaster emergency permits to assist residents in recovery efforts. Mayor Welch has highlighted the need for addressing unresolved permits, estimating that around 5,000 individuals still need to apply for them. For long-term recovery assistance, nearly $160 million is expected to be allocated through the Sunrise St. Pete program, aimed at supporting rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Helene and Idalia.
To facilitate these recovery initiatives, the City Council approved a measure to raise utility rates, providing $600 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades necessary for storm recovery, particularly targeting stormwater management due to increased flooding from hurricanes and climate change. In a further show of support, Duke Energy Florida has announced $100,000 in grants distributed to local community organizations that assist with recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, with five organizations each receiving $20,000.
Meanwhile, residents in Winston Park Northeast have endured displacement for over a year, grappling with slow construction and insurance complications. Reports indicate extensive damage in their community, with some units remaining unrenovated, resulting in frustration over inconsistent insurance claims that have slowed repair timelines. Many homeowners are experiencing significant financial burdens due to displacement and ongoing repair costs. One resident, Judy Parrett, has taken on out-of-pocket expenses for renovations amid slow insurance processing, currently being the only occupant in her building.
As the community continues to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Mayor Welch’s press conference on Friday aims to provide updates on recovery efforts and shed light on the support available for residents still facing challenges.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch Reflects on Hurricane Helene One Year Later
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
- WTSP: St. Pete City Council Hurricane Helene Anniversary
- Google Search: Hurricane recovery Florida
- Duke Energy News: Grants for Hurricane Recovery
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene recovery
- WTSP: Winston Park Flooding Damage from Hurricane Helene
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- Florida Politics: Duke Energy Announces Grants
- Google News: St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
