Hillsborough County officials are opening the floor to public opinion starting this Tuesday, addressing the flooding mayhem brought on by a trifecta of storms that have left residents ankle-deep in more ways than one. In what marks the first of eight sessions, the community meeting at Pierce Middle School in Town 'N Country seeks to size up the damage wrought by not one, not two, but three hurricanes last season—Debby, Helene, and Milton.
These sessions aren't just a roll call of grievances, they're part of a comprehensive stormwater infrastructure evaluation, a shindig orchestrated by the county with an assist from an independent engineering outfit. The folks at Hillsborough County are casting a wide net, gathering anecdotes and insights into how the relentless weather beat down on roads and roofs, and how it soaked the spirits of local business owners, leaving many to wonder when they’ll catch the next breath of dry air.
There's a roadmap for residents who want to make their voices heard, with venues stretching from Tampa's downtown to the outskirts of Plant City. Whether it's the Riverview Library get-together on April 22 or the meet-up at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on April 23, all points of the compass are covered. City officials seem keen on not letting any corner or cul-de-sac go unheard in the battle against the floods.
Not one to shy away from the digital realm, the county is also launching a virtual conversation space, something called the Hillsborough County Education & Engagement Hub, for those who can't make the in-person pow-wows, or, perhaps prefer their civic engagement in pajamas. Starting April 15, running all the way through to May 19, the virtual hub offers a way for residents to deep-dive into the assessment findings, share their own soggy stories, and pitch in on the collective brainstorming necessary for a drier, brighter future, all without having to put on rubber boots.
For a full rundown of when and where you can let the county know just how high the water rose on your street, check out the full list of meetups below, and don't forget, this is your chance to help chart out a course that might just keep us all afloat next time the skies decide to open up.
- 6:30 p.m. April 15 -- Pierce Middle School, 5511 N. Hesperides St., Tampa, FL 33614
- 6:30 p.m. April 22 -- Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569
- 6 p.m. April 23 -- Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa, FL 33618
- 5:30 p.m. April 29 -- Plant City High School cafeteria, 1 Raider Pl., Plant City, FL 33563
- 6:30 p.m. May 7 -- Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
- 6 p.m. May 12 -- University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc., 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
- 5:30 p.m. May 15 -- Jimmie B. Keel Regional Public Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618
- 6 p.m. May 19 -- Lennard High School, 2342 E. Shell Point Rd., Ruskin, FL 33570
