Ariel Plasencia

Florida

Reporter at WTVT-TV (Tampa, FL)

Wife. @FOX13News reporter. @NorthwesternU & @Georgetown alum. Chicago native.

Articles

Construction continues on University Area park to install artificial turf on sports field

1 week ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

Construction continues at Harvest Hope Park in the University Area of Tampa as crews work to install artificial turf on the sports field. "We have so many sports leagues that run this to the ground so hard that we needed a field that would be able to last for all the different sports programs," Dr. Sarah Combs, the CEO of the University Area CDC, told FOX 13. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Dig deeper: This field is used by soccer, football and girls’ flag football teams.
New TECO trailer will be used for community demonstrations on dangers of live power lines

1 week ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

Tampa Electric (TECO) crews said they’ve witnessed plenty of dangerous situations involving downed power lines, especially after last year’s busy hurricane season. "In South Tampa, it floods all the time, even with a normal summer storm," TECO lineman Donnie Newman said.
New TECO trailer will be used for community demonstrations on dangers of live power lines

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Ariel Plasencia

The BriefTECO recently purchased a trailer for linemen to use for safety demonstrations, showing community members and first responders the dangers of live power lines. The trailer is new for this upcoming hurricane season. TECO hopes the visual demonstrations will help Bay Area residents better understand the potential for danger. TAMPA, Fla.
Scientists discover hybrid termite species in Florida

1 week ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

University of Florida scientists discovered two different termite species are breeding to create a hybrid termite. The backstory: A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study confirms that hybrid termite colonies have been established in South Florida. Researchers told FOX 13 these hybrid termites are the result of Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites coexisting and mating with each other.
Hurricane Season 2025: What to know about Evacuation Zones

1 week ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

Part of hurricane preparedness means knowing your evacuation zone. Dig deeper: During a hurricane, local emergency officials may order the evacuation of certain zones, which are mapped by the National Hurricane Center. Evacuation zones indicate areas that will be affected by storm surge. RELATED: Hurricane season begins June 1: Here’s what to know These zones are assigned a letter: Zone A is typically the most vulnerable and the most likely to evacuate first.
Hurricane Season 2025: What to know about Evacuation Zones

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Ariel Plasencia

Ariel PlasenciaMon, May 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM UTC2 min readThe BriefDuring a hurricane, local emergency officials may order the evacuation of certain zones. Evacuation zones indicate areas that will be affected by storm surge. Bay Area counties and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have websites that allow residents to type their address into an interactive map to find their evacuation zones. TAMPA, Fla. - Part of hurricane preparedness means knowing your evacuation zone.
Treasure Island businesses gear up for busy Memorial Day weekend following devastating hurricanes

2 weeks ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

Businesses on Treasure Island are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend following last year’s devastating hurricane season. Local perspective: "It's exciting," Bilmar Beach Resort General Manager Clyde Smith told FOX 13 of the holiday. "This weekend is going to be fantastic." RELATED: Amid damage to hotels and restaurants, employees hope to return to work after Hurricane Helene Business at the beach hotel – and its adjoining restaurant, Sloppy Joe’s – was in full swing Friday.
Tampa stormwater officials update City Council on hurricane preps

2 weeks ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

City of Tampa stormwater officials updated the City Council on hurricane preparations Thursday. The backstory: In a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, Tampa mobility director Vik Bhide walked council members through pictures, stats, and graphs to highlight past, present, and future work by stormwater crews. According to April 2025 data, teams have cleaned nearly 38,000 feet of city pipes, completed monthly inspections of all pump stations, and removed over 500 tons of debris from city ditches.
City of Tampa scrambles to repair road cave-ins ahead of hurricane season

2 weeks ago | fox13news.com | Ariel Plasencia

City of Tampa officials announced Wednesday that they’re making great progress in repairing massive holes in streets, known as "cave-ins," ahead of hurricane season. The backstory: Miles and miles of both wastewater and stormwater pipes sit under Tampa streets. These aging pipes, which are five to 10 feet below ground, can sometimes crack. When water inevitably seeps underground, it can wash surrounding soil into the pipe through the crack, therefore creating a void.
City of Tampa scrambles to repair road cave-ins ahead of hurricane season

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Ariel Plasencia

The BriefTampa officials say progress has been made in repairing cave-ins. Since Hurricane Debby, city crews have fixed more than 540 cave-ins. Cave-ins are much deeper than potholes and require a diagnosis, said Tampa's mobility director. TAMPA - City of Tampa officials announced Wednesday that they’re making great progress in repairing massive holes in streets, known as "cave-ins," ahead of hurricane season.