Buying in Pinellas County after Helene and Milton
Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Tampa Bay area within two weeks of each other in 2024. Storm surge flooded many low-lying Pinellas neighbourhoods and barrier-island communities.
What to ask about every Pinellas home
- Did it flood in 2024, and how high did the water get?
- What was repaired, by whom, with permits?
- Has substantial damage or substantial improvement been determined? Homes over that line in a flood zone may need to be elevated or brought up to current code.
- What is the elevation certificate, and what does flood insurance actually cost?
Where buyers are looking
Higher-ground areas in north and central Pinellas, and newer elevated construction on the beaches, have drawn more interest. Older ground-level homes in surge zones are often priced lower, sometimes for good reason.
The rebate
At the Pinellas single-family median around $475,000, a 25% rebate on a 2.5% fee is about $2,969. Put it toward an independent inspection by someone who knows flood-damaged homes.