2024 was one for the weather record books in the Tampa Bay region of Florida: Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall near Tampa, causing widespread power outages, flooding, and devastation to homes and properties. Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene also affected the area, and the region faced intense recovery efforts following the devastation of three hurricanes back-to-back.
VHB was recently selected to help the City of Tampa, and three neighboring counties, elevate coastal resiliency and recovery after future catastrophic events with a regional Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan (PDRP). When complete, the region will have guidance on plan activation, practices for monitoring and revision, and strategies for involving the public in the planning process.
The City of Tampa previously secured $1.3 million in funding through a Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant. This funding supports a collaborative effort between Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and the City of Tampa to develop a PDRP for each participating jurisdiction, and a Regional Framework Plan based upon best practices.
VHB is conducting research, stakeholder engagement, and plan development for an action-oriented plan that outlines county-wide strategies for long-term recovery and redevelopment following disasters. The primary goal of this project is to enhance the resiliency of the local communities and the Tampa Bay region by developing individualized PDRPs for each jurisdiction and an overarching regional PDRP document referencing the local jurisdictional plans.
Phase One of the project is currently underway with research, evaluation, a digital survey, and a series of public workshops to gather critical stakeholder input from community members and county departments and agencies, including land use and housing, construction and permitting, economic redevelopment, environmental restoration, transportation, utility infrastructure, and more.
VHB’s integrated approach involving environmental services, planning, and technology teams includes developing an interactive GIS dashboard to help evaluate risk via vulnerability assessments for floods, wind, rainfall, and more.
Disaster impacts on the Tampa Bay area highlight the importance of coastal resiliency planning and engineering for protecting residents, visitors, and infrastructure including two international airports (Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport) as well as Port Tampa Bay from future weather-related threats. The plan will seize opportunities for hazard mitigation and community improvement as well as federal grant applications.
“Coastal communities in Florida are facing challenges in recovery and rebuilding due to rising home and business insurance premiums, increasing redevelopment regulations, and real estate investment interests,” said Neale Stralow, PLA, AICP, ENV SP, Director of Planning and Design. “These constraints can deter quick re-occupation of properties that magnify the effects of real estate investors, as well as amplify economic disparities and displacement. The PDRP will help the region better face these challenges and reestablish stability and redevelopment after disasters.”
Phase Two of the project involves building the Regional Plan Framework, which synthesizes the plans into a cohesive document that will serve as a roadmap to resiliency for the region. The project team also includes Stantec Consulting Services, the Valerin Group and Applied Sciences Consulting.
“The PDRP is critical to helping the Tampa Bay region bounce back from climate events and hazards,” said Kathleen Keen, VHB Gulf Coast Managing Director. “We hope coastal communities across the U.S. will look to our region as a leader in how communities can embody resiliency with thoughtful, people-centric planning and a collaborative approach.”
VHB helps communities across the U.S. plan and adapt for coastal resiliency, including helping Pinellas County develop their first Resilient Pinellas Plan, a Climate Action Plan for the City of Tampa, and Long Island’s Suffolk County Resiliency Study.
Learn more about how VHB is helping clients prepare for a more resilient future.
