Tampa invests $2M in neighborhood flooded by Milton

• The upgrades are intended to address some of the vulnerabilities Milton exposed.

Driving the news: The Forest Hills station is one of seven damaged across Tampa during the 2024 hurricane season — all of which had their electrical equipment installed below ground.

• The project will replace the aging pumps, add a third pump and move electrical equipment into a flood-proof structure nine feet above ground, according to the city.
• The city's PIPES program is paying for the upgrades. Work at the Forest Hills station began in April.

Yes, but: Much of the flooding Forest Hills saw during Milton came from stormwater, not wastewater, according to Tampa Bay 28.

• Stormwater from surrounding ponds can flow into the low-lying neighborhood, the station reported. To reduce that risk, the city is adding backup power at nearby pump stations.
• Until permanent generators are installed, the city is renting portable generators that can be deployed to stormwater pump stations during hurricane season.

Zoom out: Tampa's efforts to curb flooding haven't been as well received elsewhere.

• Next week, the City Council is expected to consider the construction price for the South Howard Flood Relief Project, a $100 million plan aimed at chronic flooding in South Tampa.
• Business owners along the busy corridor have pushed back, saying years of construction could make it harder for customers to reach them, and some worry their businesses couldn't survive it.

What's next: The city expects to complete the Forest Hills pump station upgrades in 2027.