Just days into the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, the City of Tampa is spotlighting how data-driven strategies helped the city bounce back faster after back-to-back storms last year.
When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Tampa last October, city leaders faced a critical challenge: how to deploy resources as quickly and effectively as possible. Thanks to its participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, Tampa used real-time data to pinpoint the hardest-hit areas, streamline debris removal, and deliver emergency aid faster than ever before.
“Hurricane recovery is not just about clearing debris. It’s about making sure families get the help they need, when and where they need it,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “Because of the commitment we’ve made to data-driven decision-making, we were able to act with precision, speed, and efficiency. This is how modern cities should respond to crises.”
The City of Tampa’s data strategy was instrumental in the following key recovery efforts:
- Smart Placement of Comfort Stations: Using real-time storm impact reports, the City’s Community Engagement and Emergency Management teams strategically set up comfort stations in the most affected neighborhoods rather than relying on historical placements. These hubs provided essential resources such as Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and pop-up sites for permitting assistance, in addition to serving as coordination points with FEMA and the Red Cross, ensuring residents received timely assistance.
- Tech-Driven Debris Removal: The City’s Solid Waste Department used drones, Crisis Track software, and WebEOC dashboards to assess storm damage and prioritize cleanup efforts. Aerial drone footage provided visibility into hard-to-reach areas, while real-time situation reports allowed crews to adjust operations dynamically, resulting in the city collecting 1.3 million cubic yards of debris ahead of the 90-day deadline set by FEMA.
- Data-Powered Emergency Response: By integrating data across department, city leaders monitored storm conditions in real time and adjusted strategies as needed. Instead of relying solely on static damage reports, Tampa used live updates to redirect crews, shifting resources to the hardest hit areas immediately post-storm and making informed decisions that sped up recovery efforts.
Tampa’s success demonstrates how data can be a game-changer in disaster response, ensuring emergency efforts are faster, more equitable, and more effective.
As part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, Tampa has access to top-tier coaching, technology, and expertise to continue strengthening its use of data. The program helps cities apply advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and cross-agency collaboration to tackle complex challenges, from disaster response to affordable housing and public safety.
“Tampa’s innovative use of real-time analytics to impact residents reflects the kind of data-driven leadership that the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance works to instill in all of its cities,” says Latricia Boone, Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategy for the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence, which leads the City Data Alliance’s accelerator program, including executive education and individualized city coaching, consultation, and technical assistance. “Tampa’s ability to harness data in the wake of these hurricanes is a model for other cities facing climate disasters.”
As extreme weather events become more frequent, Tampa remains committed to using data not only to respond to disasters but to build a stronger, more resilient city for the future.
For more information on the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, click here.