In the wake of past storms that left parts of the Old Northeast neighborhood flooded and damaged by fallen trees, residents gathered Monday night to learn how the city is better prepared for this hurricane season. Steve Deal, who has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years, vividly recalls the devastation. "Getting in and out of the neighborhood was a challenge," Deal said. "So many trees down — certainly sad to see parts of our neighborhood totally destroyed and totally flooded." This week's community meeting provided residents like Deal with insight into the improvements made since last year’s storms. Representatives from St. Pete Fire Rescue, including Amber Boulding, shared updates on preparedness strategies. "A lot of it is about process," Boulding explained. "When you have a storm like that, we respond as a city, but then you have county, regional, state, and federal resources. The key is tapping into all of those so the city gets everything it needs." According to Boulding, this year’s enhancements include new equipment and additional personnel ready to respond. Still, she emphasized that the most important aspect of storm preparation is personal readiness. "I can’t control the storm or the impact to my house," she said. "But I can control how I respond." Residents left the meeting feeling more at ease, reassured that the city has not only developed a more robust emergency response plan but also learned valuable lessons from the past.