At least five dead in storm’s ‘war zone’

Pinellas County recorded five storm-related fatalities as Hurricane Helene inundated the coastline and low-lying neighborhoods.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said at least two were drownings, and the remaining three deaths remain under investigation. Two occurred in Treasure Island, two in Indian Rocks Beach and one person died in Dunedin.

St. Petersburg first responders found a man, 89, dead inside his Riviera Bay garage Friday afternoon. His cause of death remains unknown. County and city officials at separate emergency briefings said search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Pinellas emergency management director Cathie Perkins asked residents to have patience as first responders “go painstakingly through our communities, searching for those who may have been in harm’s way.” She became emotional when announcing the fatalities.

“It’s hard, but we will continue to recover as a community,” Perkins said. “It’s going to take a while for Pinellas County to look like it did three days ago. We’re going to do everything we can to help with that.”

Some coastal communities received an eight-foot storm surge. Gualtieri said 12 to 15 areas remain impassable due to standing water.

He compared the amount of sand covering roadways to over four-foot snowbanks that will require a plow to push away. Gualtieri said he has never seen the communities around Gulf Boulevard in such disarray.

“I would just describe it, having spent the past few hours out there, as a war zone,” Gualtieri added. “It’s going to take a while before that area gets back to any sense of functionality.”

Helene’s storm surge buried cars in beach sand. Photo: Facebook.

St. Petersburg

As of 7 a.m., the City of St. Petersburg processed over 300 emergency calls. Police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez told the Catalyst that most pleas for help occurred around midnight. “Unfortunately, they waited too long.”

“I know our fire rescue did what they could overnight, but there were some people they just were unable to get to,” Fernandez said. “It was very sad and very difficult.”

First responders rescued at least 70 people through Friday morning. Boats recently deployed to Shore Acres, Snell Isle and Venetian Isles for search and rescue missions.

Over 100 miles of St. Petersburg roads flooded. The peninsula’s 6.3-foot storm surge broke a record set in 1985.

More than 20 traffic lights remain without power. Wind gusts topping 80 mph toppled at least 85 trees.

Mayor Ken Welch said 750 residents have sheltered at Gibbs High and John Hopkins Middle Schools. Many cannot return home.

“As we start to shift into recovery operations, we ask that residents please support each other during this unprecedented time,” Welch said. “Check in on your neighbors. Offer help where you can.”

Fernandez said three structures and two vehicles caught fire. Those numbers will likely increase; one home has burned uncontrollably due to surrounding water. “It’s just a really tough situation,” she added.

“We know people there have been stuck. Elderly people, people with children.”

A home surrounded by floodwaters in Shore Acres burns uncontrollably. Screengrab, Facebook.

Sewage woes

City officials shuttered the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant due to encroaching flood waters Thursday night. Roughly a quarter of St. Petersburg’s population, over 65,000 residents, can no longer flush toilets, bathe, or wash their clothes and dishes.

Draining water will cause raw sewage to overflow into homes and businesses. Restoring operations will take at least 48 hours.

Welch said the city has known for decades that the facility cannot withstand more than seven feet of water. His administration embarked on a $70 million storm-hardening project in 2022.

When asked why he waited until Helene engulfed the city to notify residents of its potential closing, Welch said much of the affected area was under a mandatory evacuation. Zone A encompasses low-lying coastal neighborhoods; the facility serves 25% of the city.

“That vulnerability has been there, and now we’re dealing with it as best we can,” Welch said. “It’s really an unprecedented time for us.”

Claude Tankersley, public works administrator, said an emergency contractor is conducting a damage analysis. While he hopes to restore service in two days, officials have yet to discern “exactly what we’re facing.”

“If someone drains water from their house, it may leave … it may not,” Tankersley said. “It may create a sanitary sewer overflow somewhere else.”

Amber Boulding, emergency management director for the city, said she will procure and strategically place portable toilets in affected areas. She plans to distribute 15 trailers that each hold 10 restrooms.