Stay informed about infrastructure news and updates in Tampa Bay, FL.
Tampa General Hospital is taking proactive measures against Hurricane Helene by constructing a protective wall called "AquaFence," which is nine feet high and stretches 1,000 feet around the facility. The setup requires 60 personnel and three full days to complete, emphasizing the hospital's commitment to safeguarding its operations during the storm.
Tampa General Hospital has installed an 'AquaFence' to protect against potential flooding as Hurricane Helene approaches. This barrier, designed to be between 5 and 10 feet high, aims to safeguard the region's only Level 1 trauma center from storm surges. Area hospitals are preparing for the hurricane while continuing to provide essential services.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast as a tropical system is expected to intensify into a major hurricane by Thursday. Meteorologist Kyle Hanson will host a live chat on Tuesday to answer questions regarding the weather impacts in the local area. Residents are encouraged to prepare for the storm, and sandbag locations are open throughout Tampa Bay.
Floridians are urged to prepare as forecasters predict a tropical system near Central America could develop into a storm that may impact the state later this week. With an 80% chance of development, meteorologists warn of uncertainty regarding the storm's trajectory and strength. Residents along Florida's west coast and northern Gulf coast are advised to stay alert and plan accordingly.
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center are monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that may develop into a tropical depression by mid-next week. As of Saturday afternoon, the likelihood of this system forming is estimated at 60%, with a focus on areas from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to near Louisiana.
The City of Tampa has been awarded a $1 million Technical Assistance Grant from the US Department of Transportation to support its public transit needs, a decision made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding marks a significant step towards improving transit and housing infrastructure in the city.
Increasing odds of tropical development in the Gulf are being monitored, with a potential tropical depression expected to form early next week. The article highlights three areas of interest, particularly a disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, while noting that conditions for two other systems in the central Atlantic are less favorable.
Construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge is progressing well, with the project expected to be completed soon. This new span of Interstate 275 will connect Tampa and St. Petersburg, and it is set to be the largest bridge in Florida by square footage, enhancing traffic flow in the region.
Forecasters are currently monitoring two potential tropical systems, including one that may develop over the northwestern Caribbean Sea with a 20% chance of formation. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that these systems could pose varying levels of threat, although one is not expected to impact land. The 2024 hurricane season is projected to be extremely active, with 23 named storms anticipated.
Pasco County is considering new regulations that could significantly limit the establishment of car washes in the area. A proposal to amend the county’s land development code will be voted on by the County Commission, aiming to preserve job-generating land and reduce the number of car washes in busy corridors.