A Look Back at Tampa's Hurricane Recovery News Emergency Management, News General, News Mayor Office, News Parks and Recreation, News Solid Waste, News Tampa Fire Rescue, News[...]

As Tampa marks one year since the unprecedented back-to-back hurricanes of fall 2024, a look back at the response and recovery efforts underscores the city's resilience and fight to come back stronger.

This time last year, Tampa was enduring a second major hurricane in less than two weeks that would, ultimately, uncover its climate vulnerabilities and put to the test the capabilities of every branch of its public services. Countless residents and business owners experienced emotional and financial hardship, with damages to private and public property rising to approximately $700 million.

A look back at the numbers magnifies the City of Tampa's commitment to the people it serves both in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster and the months and years ahead, as it works to strengthen its systems that keep people and properties safe.

"Last year's major hurricanes were unlike anything I - a native Tampanian - have experienced in my lifetime," said Mayor Jane Castor. "Amid the hardship countless residents endured, and in some cases, continue to face, I firmly believe it made us stronger and more determined to strengthen our communities and infrastructure for the intensifying climate challenges of the future."

Pre-Storm Preparation¶

• Two shelters were activated for both hurricanes, keeping more than 1,500 residents and more than 50 pets safe during the storms.
• Nearly 50,000 sandbags were distributed across three sandbag sites.

Tampa Police & Tampa Fire Rescue¶

• First responders answered more than 15,000 emergency calls during both hurricanes combined.
• A total of 153 water rescues were conducted in the immediate aftermath of the storms.
• Police officers assisted in clearing debris from more than 140 streets immediately following the passage of the hurricanes.

Solid Waste¶

• Approximately 1 million cubic yards of debris - enough to fill the 'Beer Can Building' four times - were collected three weeks ahead of the FEMA deadline for reimbursement (finished debris collection mid-December).
• During the height of the collection process, more than 300 contractors were hired to assist and worked six to seven days a week.
• In total, the massive collection process involved 450 people, including city employees, contractors, and subcontractors.

Damage to Public Facilities¶

• Public facilities experienced approximately $17 million in damages.
• Parks and Recreation facilities alone had about $9 million in damages, forcing several to close for nearly a year while extensive repairs were made.
• Joe Abrahams Community Center, the last of the Parks and Recreation facilities to be completed, celebrated its reopening in September 2025.
• The 970-ft Ballast Point Pier suffered major damages and remains closed. The City of Tampa released a Request for Proposal to begin the restoration process.

Construction Services¶

• Approximately 6,500 homes experienced storm damage, with about 2,300 reported to have major damages and 65 completely destroyed.
• Pop-up permit centers were activated to expedite emergency repair permits, with more than 1,500 issued in the weeks that followed.
• In total, more than $500,000 in permit fees were waived to provide some financial relief to affected homeowners.

Funding Assistance¶

• To date, the City of Tampa has received approximately $35,000,000 in FEMA reimbursements and $4,600,000 in insurance payments.
• The State of Florida awarded Tampa $3.2 million for the Homeowner Disaster Assistance Program to go toward qualifying households.

Infrastructure Improvements¶

• Major investments continue to be made to upgrade Tampa's utility systems (water, wastewater, and stormwater), with nearly every project including climate-related resilience features.
• Back-up generators remain on standby, ready to be installed at eight stormwater pumping stations that currently lack permanent generators.
• As part of the renovations to multiple wastewater pumping stations, electrical equipment is being elevated in the event of a flood.

With hurricane season still underway, Tampa residents are urged to sign up for emergency text alerts from the City of Tampa. To sign-up, text TAMPAREADY to 888-777 or TAMPALISTA for alerts in Spanish. Read more hurricane-related information.