PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — There has been a lot of flooding in our region the last few months, but it’s not only the amount we’ve seen this year that has people worried.

What You Need To Know

  • Steven Fernandez, an Associate Instructor at the University of South Florida, analyzes flooding in Florida communities. 

  • Fernandez said in the last 50 years, the sea level in Tampa Bay has risen eight inches

  • Fernandez is worried about rising sea levels

It's that people who have lived here for years without being affected are seeing flooding, too.

Steven Fernandez, an Associate Instructor at the University of South Florida, said this flooding has him worried about the future.

He has spent 10 years analyzing flooding affecting Florida communities and is worried about multiple Tampa Bay communities.

“In certain low-lying areas, a lot of man-made islands,” he said. “Especially Shore Acres, in St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach has a lot of flooding issues.”

From new buildings, paving over more areas, to the removal of trees, Fernandez said all of this contributes to flooding.

He said in the last 50 years, the sea level in Tampa Bay has risen eight inches, making flooding much more common when a storm comes through.

“If the sea level keeps rising even just an inch or two, it just gets worse and worse,” he said.

“Cars will not be able to pass through intersections and emergency vehicles will also have a lot of issues.”

Fernandez said to see a decrease in flooding, more drainage areas are needed, such as retention ponds.

He hopes with the flooding seen this year, community leaders will take action.

“This type of flooding will definitely continue,” he said. “It’s something that city officials across the Bay Area have to start to realize. Things have to be mitigated.”