In the wake of historic flooding caused by Hurricane Milton, a Tampa City Council member is calling for a city-county commission to review the municipal response to the storm. Councilmember Luis Viera, whose district experienced the brunt of the flooding, aims to determine whether key infrastructure failed during the disaster and what can be done to prevent future incidents.
Unprecedented Flooding in Non-Flood Zones
Neighborhoods in North Tampa, including Forest Hills, Timberfalls, Overlook, and the University Area, experienced severe flooding despite not being located in flood zones. Many residents, like Councilmember Viera himself, do not have flood insurance and were caught off guard by the extent of the damage. “I live in Hunters Green. I don’t have flood insurance,” Viera explained. “If this happened to me, I’d want answers.”
Raising the Issue at the City Council Meeting
Viera plans to raise this urgent issue at the next city council meeting, though it’s unclear if it will proceed as scheduled due to widespread power outages. Viera believes it’s critical for the city to investigate whether infrastructure failures contributed to the extent of the flooding and to determine how the city can improve its future response to such disasters.
Potential for City-County Collaboration
While Hillsborough County officials have not yet discussed a joint review commission with Tampa, a spokesperson said county staff are open to cooperating with the city on infrastructure and flooding issues. A joint effort between the city and county could be the key to addressing the region’s flood mitigation challenges and improving response strategies.
Mayor Castor Addresses the Cause
At a recent news conference, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor pointed to “pump failures and generator failures” as major contributors to the North Tampa flooding. Vik Bhide, who oversees the city’s mobility department, confirmed that the city would investigate the generator failures during a post-storm analysis. Both city and county pumps control lake levels in areas like Forest Hills, and their malfunction may have played a significant role in the flooding.
Investing in Tampa’s Future Infrastructure
Mayor Castor’s spokesperson, Adam Smith, emphasized that while the city has been investing in fortifying Tampa’s infrastructure, preventing flooding from two hurricanes in such a short time frame is a challenge. Viera, however, remains committed to finding answers. “I’m not pointing fingers at anybody. I just want answers,” he said. He emphasized that the focus should be on identifying which parts of the infrastructure failed and how to secure the necessary funding to make crucial updates.
Funding the Necessary Updates
For Viera, the solution lies in securing robust infrastructure funding. “We need backup generators for our city pumps,” he said, adding that if the budget needs to be reopened or other financial avenues reconsidered, the city should take action. “We have to find a pathway for it,” he concluded, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the need for a proactive approach moving forward.
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