ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As more of the rain pushes into the Tampa Bay area, neighbors still recovering from Hurricane Idalia are feeling anxious.
Several neighbors in St. Petersburg's Shore Acres still haven't moved back home. Others have had to rely on temporary housing, including RVs and campers.
Meghan Martin, her husband, four kids and four cats have been staying in a one-bedroom condo after their home flooded. Martin planned on sleeping back at her home with her family on Saturday.
"We were hoping to be able to sleep here, but that's not gonna happen," Martin said.
Martin spent Saturday moving their salvaged belongings from their pod and into the house due to the risk of flooding.
More than 1,200 homes were damaged by Hurricane Idalia in Shore Acres. That's about 82% of flood damage throughout St. Pete, according to one assessment.
After Idalia and now the threat of the mid-December storm, there's a growing need for long-term solutions like support to raise homes, said Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association.
"Things need to change," Batdorf said. "The way this neighborhood came together for Idalia, I really hope it does affect change for the future."
Batdorf, who has lived in Shore Acres since 1986, said his research suggests it'll cost about $300,000 to completely raise one house and finish it.
"It has to happen. We can't sustain a neighborhood when the houses are constantly flooding," Batdorf said.
In the meantime, neighbors like Martin are counting on returning home the way it was left.
"We're just trying to protect what we have the best we can," Martin said.
In the last few months, the community in Shore Acres has been helping each other in need, even starting a new initiative to raise money for neighbors recovering.