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THE SKINNY

• Power Problems

• Hurricane Prep

• Know the Difference: Flood vs. Evacuation Zone

• Space Drugs?

Featured Story

Tiny Batteries. Big Problems.

Hillsborough officials are warning residents after lithium-ion batteries continue sparking garbage truck fires

About a year ago, we talked about the hidden danger sitting in drawers, garages, and junk piles all across Southshore. Old cell phones. Dead power tool batteries. Broken electronics. Random gadgets you forgot you even owned. The problem wasn’t the clutter. It was what was inside.

Now Hillsborough County officials are once again warning residents that improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries are sparking fires inside garbage trucks. And yes, actual garbage trucks. Officials say lithium-ion batteries have been linked to roughly 30 garbage truck fires in Hillsborough County over the last few years, including more than a dozen last year and several already this year.

The reason is simple. These batteries store a lot of energy in a small package. When they’re crushed, damaged, or punctured, they can overheat and ignite. Surrounded by a truck full of trash, one tiny spark can become a major problem.

The scary part? Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere.

📱 Cell phones
💻 Laptops and tablets
⌚ Smart watches
🛠️ Power tools
🎧 Wireless headphones
🛴 Scooters and other rechargeable devices

Basically, if it charges, there’s a good chance it has one. Hillsborough County is reminding residents not to toss lithium-ion batteries into regular trash or recycling bins. Instead, batteries should be taken to approved collection sites. Find your closest one HERE.

The good news is the message appears to be working. The county says battery collections have increased significantly since increasing public awareness. But with more rechargeable devices entering our homes every year, this is one problem that probably isn’t disappearing anytime soon.

Storm Season Is Never Far in Southshore

With Most Insurance

Storm season becomes a distant memory every year just as soon as we toss the shutters back in the garage. But around here, preparation is everything.

If you ask me, forecasts are about as reliable as a used car's 30-day warranty. But if you’re into that sort of thing, 2026 is projected to have around 13 named storms. The average is 14, but as we all know, it only takes one.

So what can you do right now? Start planning. Start saving. Two years ago, way too many people were caught off guard. The rush for generators, water, and flashlights had stores looking like the opening scene of a disaster movie. And what things looked like the day after the storm hit… that’s a whole different story.

But that only tells half of it. Roof damage. Flooding. Insurance claims. Repairs that dragged on for months… some people are still dealing with it. So start now. Pick up an extra case of water when you’re at the store. Grab supplies little by little. At this point, if you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you already know what you should have on hand year-round.

But one of the biggest things you can do? Check your insurance. Know what’s covered. Know what’s not. Because finding out after the fact is about the worst time possible. Lucky for you, we know a guy.

David Castelwitz with Most Insurance is the kind of person who actually wants to dig into policies and make sure you’re covered the right way. If you want a quote or just want someone to take a look and make sure you’re not exposed, he’s worth reaching out to.

And even if you don’t call him, call someone. Because the last thing you want is to find out you’re underinsured while you’re watching your life float away in a storm surge.

Flood Zone VS. Evacuation Zone

Hillsborough County updated evacuation zones ahead of hurricane season, but evacuation zones and flood zones are not the same thing

Hurricane season is here, and some Hillsborough County residents may notice something different when they check their evacuation zone this year. The county recently updated its maps using new storm surge modeling, causing some homes to move into different evacuation zones. Some areas expanded, some properties shifted zones, and some neighborhoods that previously weren’t included now are.

For Southshore residents, especially those near Tampa Bay, the Alafia River, Little Manatee River, and other low-lying areas, these changes matter. But they also create confusion. Your evacuation zone is not your flood zone.

Flood zones measure long-term flood risk and are mainly used for insurance, mortgages, and understanding a property’s chance of flooding over time. Evacuation zones answer a different question. “Could this area become unsafe during a hurricane?” They focus largely on storm surge, when hurricane winds push water from the bay onto land. That’s different from flooding caused by heavy rainfall.

That means a home can be in an evacuation zone but not considered a high-risk flood property. It also means a home outside an evacuation zone can still flood. As Florida has learned many times, water doesn’t always follow the lines on a map.

The easiest way to remember:

🌊 Flood zone = “What is my property’s flood risk?”
🚗 Evacuation zone = “Should I leave before a hurricane?”

Different questions. Different maps.

With thousands of new residents moving into communities in Southshore, knowing the difference matters more than ever. Check both before the next storm arrives.

Flood Zone. Evacuation Zone.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Say Hello to Space Drugs

No seriously.

Scientists and biotech companies are officially manufacturing medicine in space, which sounds less like modern healthcare and more like the opening scene of a sci-fi movie.

A UK-based biotech company recently launched a drug manufacturing lab to the International Space Station with the goal of growing ultra-pure drug crystals in microgravity. Why? Because making medicine in space may actually produce higher-quality treatments than manufacturing them here on Earth. One of the first focuses is cancer treatment.

Researchers say the zero-gravity environment allows crystals used in certain injectable drugs to form more cleanly and uniformly, potentially creating medications that are more stable, more effective, and easier for patients to use at home instead of spending hours attached to IVs in hospitals. The future may involve medicines designed and manufactured... in orbit.

And while this all sounds futuristic, it also highlights something bigger happening right now. Space is rapidly becoming commercialized. It’s no longer just governments launching rockets. Private companies are now building space stations, manufacturing technology in orbit, and preparing for an economy that could eventually exist partially above Earth itself.

So yes, while you were paying your electric bill this week, humanity quietly took another step toward becoming a full-blown sci-fi civilization. 🚀

Southshore Spotlight

Wheels of Success

Sometimes success isn’t about talent or effort. Sometimes it’s simply about having a reliable way to get to work.

That’s why organizations like Wheels of Success matter so much. Their mission helps working families throughout Tampa Bay stay employed by providing reliable transportation, car repairs, and vehicle assistance to people who need it most.

Because a broken car shouldn’t cost someone their livelihood.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 38,000 readers in Southshore what you've got. Only 20 spots for the year. Claim yours today.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.