News Summary
Residents of Shore Acres in St. Petersburg are struggling with recovery following Hurricane Helene, as only 20% of applications for the Elevate Florida program are expected to be accepted. Frustration mounts over the application process, with local efforts underway to assist those not accepted into the state program. Meanwhile, property elevation is critical for many homeowners as hurricane season approaches, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with flooding and rising sea levels.
St. Petersburg – As hurricane season returns, residents of Shore Acres continue to grapple with the slow recovery from Hurricane Helene. Over 550 homeowners in the area have applied to Elevate Florida, a state pilot program aimed at supporting homeowners in flood-prone zones by raising their homes. However, state officials have indicated that only 20% of these applications—approximately 100 to 150 homes—are expected to be accepted or placed on a waitlist.
Residents awaiting news on their application status will receive notification letters within the next two weeks, which is critical information impacting their decisions about remaining in the neighborhood. Even as many homeowners express frustration with the application evaluation process, state representatives are striving to clarify how applicants are prioritized within the program.
State Representative Lindsay Cross has specifically raised concerns about the transparency of the criteria used to evaluate the applications, highlighting the need for clearer communication between state officials and residents. This state-level concern comes against the backdrop of a wider context in Florida, where more than 12,000 homeowners have applied for the Elevate Florida program, with Pinellas County alone accounting for 3,676 of these applications.
Originally, the Elevate Florida program aimed to assist 2,000 homeowners, though it is currently unclear if this target still stands. In response to the limited scope of the state program, St. Petersburg is set to launch its own home elevation initiative backed by approximately $100 million in funding. This local program is intended to help residents who were not accepted into the state program, expanding the city’s ability to respond to the ongoing risks posed by flooding.
Many residents, including Dr. Meghan Martin, have faced considerable emotional and financial stress due to repeated flooding incidents. Martin shared her experience of elevating her home by 12 feet to mitigate future flood risks. The elevation effort is crucial as homeowners increasingly realize that elevating properties is a necessary solution amidst rising sea levels and the intensifying impact of hurricanes.
However, the elevation process is often fraught with delays and challenges. Homeowners have reported that applications for elevation can become stalled due to permitting issues and other bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, contractors in the area have noted a substantial increase in demand for home elevation services following Hurricane Helene, with some reporting that they are now elevating 15 to 20 homes per month compared to pre-hurricane averages.
The financial burden of elevating homes has also increased significantly, with costs estimated to be around 30% higher in Florida compared to other regions. This is largely due to the unique geological composition and construction demands present in coastal areas. The federal funding available under the Elevate Florida program is capable of raising only a small fraction of the estimated 1.3 million homes that may require elevation across the state.
As the community navigates the challenges of recovery and adaptation to rising flood risks, frustrations remain high regarding the efficiency of the city’s permitting review process. Residents are hopeful that the launch of St. Petersburg’s local elevation program will provide much-needed assistance and help them reclaim their homes and livelihoods as hurricane season progresses.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: Mixed Reactions in Shore Acres Await Elevate Florida Decisions
- Miami Herald: Climate Change Articles
- New York Times: Home Lifts and Climate Change
- Google Search: Florida Flooding Home Elevation
- St. Pete Catalyst: Council Approves Innovative Storm Solutions
- Wikipedia: Climate Change in Florida
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.
