st. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – St. Petersburg residents spoke up and the Florida Legislature heard them. Lawmakers passed the “vehicle-free wake-flood zone” provision, prohibiting drivers from speeding flooded streets, creating a damaging awakening.
The plan is to reduce the speed limits in the area as needed. Brandi Gabbard, a member of the St. Petersburg City Council, was at the forefront of regulations.
The new law aims to hold owners liable for abandoned boats
“Slowing the speed to idle so that people can still arrive from home or from home if people have to go to work.
She said drivers can issue tickets to what is considered a minor crime. Enforcement may take place across jurisdictions and statewide.
Residents of Rivera Bay explained how bad the flooding was after Hurricane Helen.
“It arrived here. There was never a flood,” Britni Cox said.
News Channel 8 on your side spoke to Cox like the real estate agent had left her home.
“Now we’re leaning more towards sales,” Cox said.
Other residents are trying to stick it out and repair it.
“(Wed) was just below the doorknob, but they came in through the window in the Sun Porch,” Jodie Clambris said. “We’ve just finished the bathroom. That’s a plus. The kitchen, there’s nothing and a lot to do.”
Crumbliss shared photos of her flooded neighborhood. One photo showed a truck driving flood water.
“It comes to our house, so stop playing and it’s not a game. Our house is important to us and we’ll do everything we can to protect the water,” Clambris said.
News channel 8 on your side asked Krumblis if he felt the driver had made her home worse. She replied, “Absolutely.”
“You get kids who like to run underwater, they think it’s a game and it’s fun to see the water splash,” Clambris said.
They live in District 2, the Gabbard district of Councillors. Gabbard said there was more work to do.
“This is not the only solution. We need to work on the stormwater system, but we also need to be serious about how we help people promote their homes,” Gabbard said. “We need to harm people and raise people out of harm while making sure the infrastructure there is reliable and can be kept as safe as possible.”
Some residents said the provisions have now changed nothing.
“It’s too late, at least in my situation, but I can’t speak for the next person,” Cox said. “There are still some issues with the flood and drainage system that’s going on here, so stay away from the flood.”
Both Cox and Crumbliss hope this provision will be useful as it tackles the bigger flooding issue.
“They need to do some kind of work on the canal and not help the rising water, but I think that’s on the way. But that’s a great beginning to help people like us who live near the water,” Crumbliss said.
Gabbard said Parliament is expected to get updates from the Chief of Police St. Petersburg in its next quarterly report on the implementation of the provisions.
If Governor Desantis signs the bill, it will come into effect on July 1st.
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