Nestled in the easternmost corner of St. Petersburg, Florida, Shore Acres is a hidden gem, accessed through charming, winding roads and over arched bridges. Just a short drive from downtown St. Pete, this waterfront community presents a unique tapestry of mid-20th-century ranch-style homes alongside modern, luxurious waterfront estates. Parks, recreation centers, and the shimmering expanse of Tampa Bay create a picturesque backdrop, contributing to the neighborhood’s tranquil appeal.
“Imagine relaxing in your backyard, watching the sunset with a drink in hand, the peaceful quiet only occasionally punctuated by the gentle sounds from the pickleball courts,” describes Jason Nash, a 49-year-old Shore Acres resident, encapsulating the idyllic lifestyle the neighborhood once promised.
However, Shore Acres, known for being the lowest-lying area in St. Petersburg, now faces a significant challenge: frequent flooding. Storms and high tides relentlessly inundate the community, most recently experienced during Hurricane Idalia and a severe unnamed storm in December of last year.
Following Hurricane Idalia, residents described the overwhelming floods as “generational,” highlighting the unprecedented scale of the disaster. Over 1,400 homes in Shore Acres suffered damage from the rising waters. Roads became impassable for hours, effectively cutting off the community. Adding to the devastation, at least two homes were tragically lost to fires, likely ignited by the corrosive interaction of salt water and electrical systems.
Alt text: Aerial view of Shore Acres St. Pete streets submerged in floodwater after Hurricane Idalia, illustrating the neighborhood’s vulnerability to storm surge.
Ten months later, Shore Acres is a neighborhood in transition. The sight of “For Sale” signs is increasingly common, construction vehicles are a constant presence on residential streets, and city crews are working diligently on infrastructure improvements beneath the surface.
Residents are grappling with a profound question: Is it viable to maintain and protect their homes in an area so prone to flooding? Should they consider selling and relocating? Or should they invest in flood-proofing measures, perhaps even elevating their houses?
As another hurricane season begins, Shore Acres stands as a stark reminder and a potential preview of the challenges that other waterfront communities in Tampa Bay may soon confront. The charming neighborhood has become a microcosm illustrating the growing risks of coastal living in an era of intensifying storms and rising sea levels driven by climate change.
The Lingering Impact of Recent Floods on Shore Acres Residents
Mark Jones and his then-fiancée, Julia, embarked on the dream of homeownership in Shore Acres in November 2022, purchasing their first house together.
They were aware of a past flood event in 2020, but prior to that, flood claims in the area were scarce, dating back to the 1980s.
“We considered it an anomaly,” Jones explained. “We knew we were buying in the highest-risk flood zone, and that the previous owner had experienced flooding a few years prior, but the infrequency of it gave us a sense of security.”
Their hope was to enjoy five to ten years in their new home before facing another flood, envisioning starting a family and perhaps upgrading to a larger property later.
However, less than a year later, their home was inundated with approximately nine inches of bay water during Hurricane Idalia.
The aftermath was devastating. The house was permeated with the pungent smell of bay water, and anything the floodwater touched had to be removed and discarded.
According to Claude Tankersley, St. Petersburg’s public works administrator, approximately 80% of the over 1,700 homes in St. Petersburg reporting damage from Hurricane Idalia were located in Shore Acres.
In total, nearly 1,000 flood insurance claims originating from St. Petersburg were filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Over three-quarters of these claims came from homeowners residing in census tracts encompassing Shore Acres and the neighboring Snell Isle.
FEMA data further reveals the storm inflicted over $58 million in building damage within these neighborhoods.
In the months following the storm, construction crews have been working tirelessly to repair homes, removing damaged flooring and drywall and replacing them with new materials.
As the reconstruction efforts gradually subside, a noticeable trend has emerged among Shore Acres residents.
“Walking around the neighborhood this morning, it feels like every other house now has a for sale sign,” Alex Demetrius posted on the Shore Acres Civic Association Facebook page on May 4th.
Data from Zillow confirms a significant increase in homes being listed for sale in Shore Acres. Since the beginning of 2024, the monthly number of new listings has reached unprecedented levels.
While the exact reasons for this surge in listings remain unclear, and despite the recent disasters, the average home value in the neighborhood continues to rise.
However, in both Shore Acres and neighboring Snell Isle, the overall inventory of homes for sale is expanding at a significantly faster rate compared to the rest of the region, now nearly triple what it was at the same time last year.
Jones is nearing completion of the repairs to his home. However, the renovations will not reflect his and his wife’s personal style and preferences. They have made the difficult decision to sell their home and purchase a new one in a less flood-prone area.
“The desire to personalize and improve the house to truly make it our own is simply gone,” Jones admitted. “I’m really looking forward to getting that feeling back in a new home.”
The Low Elevation Predicament of Shore Acres
Shore Acres’ vulnerability to flooding is intrinsically linked to its geographical origins. In the early 20th century, the neighborhood was developed on a marshland, built upon fill material, often consisting of sand, gravel, or clay, that was transported into the area.
Chris Dailey, a lifelong Shore Acres resident born in 1969, has witnessed the neighborhood’s evolving character over the decades.
In his childhood, year-round residents in Shore Acres were scarce. Before widespread air conditioning, most homes were primarily occupied by snowbirds during the winter months, remaining vacant throughout the summer. Around the 1980s, families increasingly began to populate the neighborhood.
However, throughout Shore Acres’ transformations, one constant has persisted: the neighborhood’s susceptibility to flooding.
The highest point, or crown, of the average road in Shore Acres is approximately two feet above sea level, according to Tankersley. The lowest points dip to just one foot above sea level. Even other low-lying coastal neighborhoods like Riviera Bay or Coquina Key have slightly higher elevations, at 3 and 4 feet above sea level, respectively.
Compounding the issue, Shore Acres’ unique topography creates a bowl-like effect. The lowest elevations tend to be concentrated in the neighborhood’s interior, meaning homes situated closer to the center are more prone to flooding with less water compared to waterfront properties.
“Shore Acres is essentially shaped like a bowl,” Tankersley explained. “Many properties directly on the waterfront are actually at slightly higher elevations than properties located in the central parts of the neighborhood.”
Following severe hurricanes and a mosquito infestation in the 1950s, the city initiated recommendations for residents: raise homes and expand the stormwater drainage system.
Building codes were nonexistent for homes constructed before the 1950s. After the mid-20th century, city guidelines recommended building homes at 5.5 feet above ground level—though Tankersley notes that builders frequently did not adhere to these recommendations.
Over the subsequent 70 years, the city conducted numerous studies, proposing various solutions, ranging from raising seawalls and constructing pump stations to elevating streets.
According to city records, residents often rejected many of these proposals, primarily due to the associated costs.
While storm-related flooding remains unpredictable, “sunny day flooding” has become increasingly common in Shore Acres, Dailey observes. Sunny day flooding occurs even on clear days, independent of storm events.
David Noah, jokingly referred to by some as the “president of Shore Acres” due to his address at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NE, recalls instances from his daughter’s childhood when she would look out the window on a sunny day and see streets flooded with water.
“You could see fish swimming on the front patio,” he recounted.
Alt text: The Noah family stands proudly in front of their Shore Acres St. Pete home, which they raised 16 feet to mitigate flood risk.
Both Noah and Dailey have dedicated significant portions of their lives to Shore Acres. To remain in their beloved neighborhood, they have both made the proactive decision to build upwards.
Noah’s home, meticulously perfected over 20 years with his wife, was lifted 16 feet into the air in 2019. Dailey has also chosen to rebuild, constructing a new home that will similarly be elevated 16 feet.
“I’ve only ever lived in Shore Acres—my friends, my mother, they all live here,” Dailey emphasized, highlighting his deep roots in the community.
The Uncertain Future of Shore Acres
Three years prior, Jason Nash experienced the unsettling reality of rising floodwaters during Tropical Storm Eta, a late-season storm that passed near Tampa Bay.
“I’ll never forget it; my wife was watching the premiere of ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,’” Nash recalled. “And I remember saying, ‘I’m starting to get a little worried.’”
As the evening progressed, a few inches of water seeped into their home. They quickly placed their two small dogs on the bed, unplugged electronics, and elevated as many belongings as possible off the floor.
“I’ve never felt so completely helpless in my entire life,” Nash confessed.
It took three months to gut and restore their home. Everything that had come into contact with the saltwater had to be discarded.
Tragically, less than three years later, history repeated itself. Hurricane Idalia pushed just under a foot of water into their home.
“It was just a feeling of numbness,” Nash described. “We had just finished putting the house back together about a year ago, and now we’re facing the same ordeal all over again.”
Alt text: Shore Acres St. Pete resident Jason Nash contemplates the ongoing flooding challenges in his neighborhood, despite its desirable waterfront location.
Despite the recurring floods, Nash has no intention of leaving his home of ten years. He cites the friendly community, lush landscapes, and immediate access to the water as compelling reasons to stay.
In the interim, he, along with many other Shore Acres residents, are looking to the city of St. Petersburg to implement flood mitigation improvements that have been advocated for in recent months.
In April, the city initiated upgrades to backflow preventer valves, designed to block bay water from surging through underground pipes. The city aims to replace all 56 of the neighborhood’s aging valves by the end of August—a fast-tracked project with a budget of $3.7 million, according to Tankersley.
As of May, nine valves had been installed, Tankersley reported.
Additional planned projects include widening drainage pipes and establishing stormwater pump stations on Shore Acres streets.
“If the city takes meaningful action to protect the neighborhood, it would be incredible,” Nash expressed. “We would love to continue living here.”
