Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap.