St. Petersburg launches monitoring of storm-damaged properties; city says inspections protect recovery and FEMA standing

City of St. Petersburg officials described a stepped-up monitoring effort for properties flagged as damaged in the recent storms and said the inspections are necessary to verify repairs, identify work done without permits and preserve the city’s standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The monitoring process was outlined at the Feb. meeting by Joe Waugh, director of Codes, who said staff started a zone-based inspection program in January after receiving damage-assessment data from the county. "We were out there after the storms. We were going door to door throughout their neighborhood and the entire city. But we weren't there to issue violation notices. We were there to provide support, resources, and in many cases, a hug and some comfort during a difficult time," Waugh said.

City staff said the monitoring applies first to properties inside the special flood-hazard area identified in damage assessments and then to affected properties outside those zones. Officials said the objective is to confirm whether repairs that require permits were performed and to close the loop where work is already permitted and inspected. Properties with active post-disaster emergency permits (PDEP) will be…