ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Neighbors in St. Petersburg are bracing for potential storm impacts, including coastal flooding. It's an experience that is all too familiar for the Riviera Bay community.
Neighbors there say they were struck twice in 2023 — in August during Hurricane Idalia, and then again on Dec. 17, during a severe rain and wind storm. Now, ahead of Tuesday's projected coastal flooding, many were taking steps to protect their homes with tarps, sandbags and more.
After a decade spent in Riviera Bay, James Davis is well-versed in preparing for flooding. He plans to block his doors with tarps, sandbags and a wooden board. He is also putting his appliances, from his washing machine to his fridge, up on the cinder blocks and out of the reach of water.
"Last time, we weren't expecting it to be so bad. We woke up and found water in the house. So we had to push the screen out and go out the window," Davis said.
The stress of potential flooding is pushing Davis to explore a long-term solution.
"We're going to build up. We're going to put a second story on here so we don't have to worry about the bottom floor anymore," he added.
However, other people in the neighborhood say the long-term solution for many is to leave the area.
"They're ready to go. Allen, Brian, those people are ready to move out," Grant Goheen said of his neighbors. "It's just too much for them. There is too much strain."
A nearby boating business, AFA Marine, is also bracing for potential flooding tonight.
"Before the end of the day, I'll be lifting stuff up high, definitely," Albert Ariotti, the owner of AFA Marine, said.
For Ariotti, the physical labor of preparing for the storm comes second to the emotional toll these floods take.
"You don't sleep at night," he explained. "I have cameras and I literally watch the cameras all night. And you see the water rise and there's nothing you can do. It's horrible."
St. Petersburg city leaders are urging people to sign up for their alert systems to stay on top of delays and closures due to the storm.
As always, 10 Tampa Bay will also keep you informed, sending you alerts on the storm through the 10 Tampa Bay app.