Pinellas County outlined $101.1 million in federal funding for flood protection projects at an Oct. 22 commission work session, but officials have not decided where the money will go.

A countywide flood vulnerability assessment identified 16 of 66 fire stations, 74 of 405 drinking water facilities and 12 of 56 emergency operations facilities as exposed to storm surge, St. Pete Catalyst reported. The report does not establish which are in Palm Harbor or Dunedin. Officials said project selection would be based on need rather than equal allocations among municipalities.

The allocation would pay for drainage systems, stormwater improvements and work to protect public facilities from future storms, according to St. Pete Catalyst, which first reported the plan. The spending comes more than two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded neighborhoods and damaged infrastructure across the county.

Of the $101.1 million, $53.4 million is designated for county recovery projects. The remaining $47.7 million would fund joint work with St. Petersburg on improvements that reduce flooding in both jurisdictions. No projects have been chosen yet.

Lori Dayland of BDO Government Services told commissioners the county wants to direct funding toward projects that benefit residents across municipal boundaries.

"The goal is to look at needs and opportunities county-wide and direct funding to projects that provide broad community benefits," Dayland said at the Oct. 22 session.

St. Pete Beach and Clearwater have already had to pursue replacement fire stations after the 2024 hurricanes damaged those buildings.

The $101.1 million is part of a larger $138.2 million hurricane recovery package that also includes assistance for small businesses and nonprofits. Another $5 million in federal recovery money is designated for planning studies to identify infrastructure weaknesses and determine which projects should be funded first.

Projects would be evaluated on their ability to reduce flood damage and benefit lower-income residents. County officials said projects far enough along in planning could proceed while the broader study continues.

The county has not announced when it expects to finalize the project list or begin construction. An agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) extended the deadline for a broader adaptation plan to March 31, 2027.

According to the county's recovery action plan website, a substantial amendment to the plan is open for public comment through Nov. 22, 2026.