Hurricane Milton has left a lasting footprint on Tampa Bay, bringing historic rainfall and subsequent flooding to various neighborhoods, notably Forest Hills. Residents like Robert Freeland, who has lived in the area for decades, were shocked to see the devastation, recalling only one previous flood of this magnitude back in 1979. The storm unleashed over 17 inches of rain, causing rivers and lakes to swell dangerously, with some areas experiencing flooding for days after the storm had passed. The failure of stormwater pumps, attributed to power outages, has raised concerns about the region's preparedness for such weather events. Freeland, along with other locals, expressed frustration that the lessons from past flooding have seemingly been forgotten.

As the local infrastructure struggles to cope, water levels in rivers and creeks continue to rise and fall slowly, representing a significant challenge for emergency services. Hurricane Milton serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by communities in the face of extreme weather. The prolonged flooding has prompted discussions about improving stormwater management systems to better protect residents in the future.