Hear how Hillsborough County is working toward a more disaster resilient community
The Tampa Bay Region Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning (PDRP) project is an ongoing, multi-jurisdictional initiative focused on enhancing long-term redevelopment capacity across Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and the City of Tampa. Launched before the 2024 storm season with a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, the project intends to address identified planning gaps and weave best practices and innovative approaches into redevelopment plans. Soon after its inception, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, along with Tropical Storm Debby, pummeled the region—delivering historic levels of damage and flooding. The timing of these storms has underscored the urgency of post-disaster planning, providing real-time lessons in infrastructure resilience, housing vulnerabilities, and community needs.
As the PDRP moves forward, it will establish comprehensive policies, operational strategies, and clearly assigned responsibilities that support robust redevelopment while advancing each jurisdiction’s broader community goals. Crucially, the concurrency of widespread rebuilding efforts and the project’s development has yielded valuable, on-the-ground insights into the complex realities of post-disaster challenges. By integrating these firsthand observations, the updated plans will reflect the region’s post-disaster needs—addressing economic vitality, infrastructure readiness, housing supply, and environmental stewardship. The collective focus on underrepresented communities remains a priority, guiding the region’s pursuit of solutions that not only restore what was lost but also contribute to a more resilient future.
The planning effort begins with a comprehensive assessment of potential hazards, existing policies, and emerging trends across the region. Project leads gather data from emergency management teams, public agencies, local businesses, and community organizations, creating a detailed profile of each jurisdiction’s vulnerabilities and redevelopment needs. As emphasized by national and state guidance, planning ahead allows for adequate time to rebuild with hazard mitigation measures—such as property protection and hazard avoidance—rather than simply rebuilding in ways that leave the community vulnerable to similar losses in the future or having existing residents priced-out of their communities by unexpected mitigation costs.
These findings help pinpoint issues—such as outdated infrastructure or limited and vulnerable housing stock—that can complicate long-term redevelopment if not addressed prior to a disaster. In light of the 2024 storms, the team also studies real-world disruptions—like infrastructure failures and housing barriers—to shape strategies that integrate hazard mitigation, social and economic drivers, and broader resilience goals. Key considerations include profiling and mapping hazard risks, updating development regulations, protecting or restoring natural areas, and ensuring capital improvement programs fund safety measures that support continuity of passage, evacuation, and essential community needs. Throughout the project’s timeline, a variety of engagement opportunities will be available for individual community members, civic leaders, and industry representatives, allowing them to share feedback and refine proposed actions. More details on these activities are provided in the Community Awareness Plan, which highlights ways to participate. A core objective of the Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan is to integrate mitigation actions and facilitate a long-term vision for recovery, in line with Florida’s comprehensive planning process and FEMA guidance emphasizing that disasters can present opportunities to rebuild more safely.
By focusing on pre-storm planning, resource coordination, and capacity building, the project aims to establish a flexible, forward-looking framework that both accelerates rebuilding efforts and aligns with each jurisdiction’s broader goals. A central objective of the PDRP is to identify strategies that boost redevelopment capacity ahead of future disasters, rather than leaving communities to shoulder added responsibilities when a crisis is already unfolding. As the Florida Department of Community Affairs and Florida Division of Emergency Management note in their Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning Guidebook, “Without a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan, ad hoc efforts in the aftermath of a significant disaster will delay the return of community stability”. Proactive planning through the PDRP ensures communities are prepared to implement smart post-disaster decisions and meet the challenges of long-term recovery rather than being forced to shoulder these responsibilities amid an unfolding crisis.
Tell us how the hurricanes affected you and your community. Your experiences help us understand real challenges.
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Before reaching out, please check the Frequently Asked Questions for quick answers to common inquiries.
Emergency response focuses on life‑safety and immediate needs (hours to weeks). The PDRP addresses long‑term recovery and redevelopment decisions (months to years) such as housing, infrastructure, and land‑use.
The State of Florida and each of the local governments have dedicated resources for impacted residents:
