ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Spectrum Bay News 9 weather experts predict Tropical Storm Debby could bring lots of heavy rain to Tampa Bay.

Residents in Shore Acres, St. Pete's lowest lying neighborhood, are preparing for potential flooding.

What You Need To Know

  • Residents in Shore Acres, St. Pete's lowest lying neighborhood, are preparing for potential flooding

  • Shore Acres often floods, even during storms

  • Jeff Fuller said by using a caulk gun he's been able to prevent flooding from previous storms

Jeff Fuller went around the neighborhood Saturday showing his water-proofing techniques to those who live in the area in an attempt to stop potential flooding. 

“This is my fourth or fifth trip here in Shore Acres,” he said. “We have yet to find a house that we can’t waterproof.” 

Fuller said Shore Acres is an area that floods quite often, but helping prepare people’s homes isn’t something he thought he’d ever be doing.

However, after his home didn’t flood last year, thanks to his preparations, friends encouraged him to show his technique with a caulk gun to others. 

“Anybody can do this. I don’t care if you’re 80 or 24, or what age you are, you can do this,” he said.  

One of the homes he helped prepare on Saturday belongs to Shelby Stagg. 

Living in her home since 2018, she thought she was doing enough until her home flooded from Hurricane Idalia. 

“I really don’t want to deal with nine months of not being in my house again,” she said. “It’s a pain in the butt. The construction, it’s not fun.” 

Fuller said it’s about finding the areas on the outside of homes that are exposed.

“This is a place that we can test these techniques and go in and refine it,” he said. “If Shelby doesn’t flood... Shelby will stay in this house for a very long time.”

Fuller said his process with the caulk gun can be very quick and saves a lot of time compared to other water-proofing methods he’s tried in the past.