TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Flooding has become an increasingly common concern across Tampa Bay, and now planners are asking residents to help identify problem areas as they develop a long-term strategy to reduce future flood risks.
The Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan spans seven counties, from Citrus County to Sarasota County, and aims to create a coordinated regional approach to flood mitigation and environmental protection.
“The Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan is going to provide a unified, coordinated regional strategy that will help reduce flood risk and protect natural areas,” said Mandy Moore with the National Wildlife Federation.
Organizers say the plan will focus on challenges such as high-tide flooding, storm surge, and extreme rainfall events.
“But minor storm surge, high tide flooding, extreme rainfall events — those are the types of things that the Coastal Master Plan will address,” Moore said.
Community input is expected to play a major role in shaping the final plan. Residents are encouraged to complete an online survey detailing flooding they’ve experienced in neighborhoods, on roadways, or in other frequently visited locations.
Leaders say local observations can help identify flooding trouble spots that may not be captured through data alone.
Once survey responses are collected, planners will begin analyzing the information and working with engineers to identify potential solutions.
“And then we’ll do data analysis and start working with the engineers,” Moore said.
Officials say public participation could also strengthen the region’s ability to compete for state and federal funding for future flood mitigation projects.
The Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan is expected to be completed in 2028. Residents have until June 10 to submit feedback through the online survey at https://www.coastaltampabay.org/.
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