Hillsborough County calls for investigation after hurricane flooding

Hillsborough County plans to hire consultants to investigate Why several areas of the county that rarely or never flood were inundated with water after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners signed an idea to work with Tampa and Plant City on an investigation into what Commissioner Pat Kemp called “devastating flooding” in areas where people were not warned in advance.

Kemp asked about it Investigation The focus is on Forest Hills, Pine Crest and areas of Plant City, as well as near the University of South Florida. Other board members called for a full, statewide investigation but unanimously approved Kemp’s request.

Commissioner Christine Miller A separate request was also made to set up a task force for flood protection, environmental management and water quality.

The task force would be led by a consultant contain several state and regional agencies, including local municipalities and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Miller said she hopes to find the counselor by Nov. 13 and wanted the task force to focus on Baker Creek, Pemberton Creek, Lake Thonotossassa and the Shangri-La district in Seffner.

Some board members questioned the logistics of the task force and the timeline for its creation, but unanimously approved the motion.

The commissioners then voted on the two ideas Public comment from several residents affected by both hurricanes.

Adrian Aye, 35, said he lives at the Cinnamon Cove Apartments in North Tampa, which is not in an evacuation zone. He told commissioners that he had been advised several times by Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies that he did not need to evacuate outside of Milton.

He said the day the storm hit was the worst day of his life and he lost everything.

“I am a victim of your negligence,” he told commissioners, blaming a lack of drainage for the area’s flooding.

Kemp said more than 300 people had to be rescued from floodwaters in the University Area of ​​Tampa alone. Hundreds more were rescued from other locations in the county. Residents in some neighborhoods experienced persistent flooding, with water levels continuing to rise days after the storm.

As the board works out the next steps in the investigation, Commissioner Gwen Myers asked for patience residents as disaster relief efforts continue.

“It will take some time,” she said.