After four months of, ProPublica found that the warnings about Helene were eerily accurate. Yet, local residents remained largely unaware of the enormity of danger approaching as the storm closed in.

The Atlantic hurricane season gets underway on Sunday, June 1, and forecasters are concerned that it will be similar to the 2024 season, which was one of the most devastating and costliest on record.

By the time Dr. Martin and her family return home, it may be early 2026. They still need stairs and must complete interior renovations. But by next hurricane season, they’ll be 12 feet above their flood-prone neighborhood – perhaps even high enough to glimpse Tampa Bay – posting medical advice, not storm loss updates.

"Helene’s Unheard Warnings" is the title of a new ProPublica article that takes a deep dive into the catastrophic damage left behind by the storm. It also chronicles how, even with dire warnings from local and national outlets,

All across Tampa Bay, repairs are still barely getting underway. Resident shares harrowing experience in aftermath of devastating hurricane: 'I've lost everything' first appeared on The Cool Down.

Hurricane Season starts in less than two weeks, and it comes as some in Manatee County continue rebuilding and recuperating after last year's brutal storms.

Just after sunrise and again before sunset each day, a white balloon, nearly as tall as a person, floats into the Ruskin sky. A little weather instrument dangles from it, collecting data as the balloon drifts up, up, up into the atmosphere collecting data.

Gulf Coast News also reported that there's around a seven-month supply of homes on the Gulf Coast and that, in addition to turnkey homes on the market, there are at least 1,000 fixer-uppers for sale — many with lingering damage from repeated storms.