Pinellas County’s death toll in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath has climbed to nine, as of 1 p.m. Saturday. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said all occurred in mandatory evacuation areas. Eight people drowned, including a man in St. Petersburg’s Riviera Bay neighborhood, and one died in an unreachable fire. Of the fatalities, two occurred in Indian Rocks Beach, one in Dunedin, one in St. Pete Beach, one in Madeira Beach one in St. Petersburg, one in Redington Shores, and one in Treasure Island. Officials have not released the ninth victim’s details.
Tonight's sold-out Violent Femmes show at Jannus Live has been postponed.
City of St. Petersburg officials announced at least 406,945 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed throughout the city in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. The following leaks were verified and ceased: 43,155 gallons at 900 Block 38th Ave. NE; 107,250 gallons at 700 Block 61st Ave. NE; 22,500 gallons at 200 Block 55th Ave. NE; 14,040 gallons at 2600 Block East Bay Isle Ave. SE; 220,550 gallons 600 Block Foch St. NE; and an unknown amount discharged into Placido Bay due to the city shuttering the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility. Officials will report additional discharges as they continue assessments.
Pinellas County officials announced Friday night that all southern barrier island residents from John’s Pass to Fort De Soto Park must boil water due to Hurricane Helene’s “severe impacts.” According to the announcement, “this specifically affects St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde customers.” Residents must bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for cooking, drinking or personal hygiene.
City officials announced Saturday morning that rescue crews would help residents who do not need medical attention leave Treasure Island by bus. The coastal community still lacks potable water and sewer service. For important information, visit the website here.
HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital temporarily closed Friday afternoon following damage sustained from Hurricane Helene. Facility entrances will remain closed to “ensure the safety of our community and staff” until further notice. Pasadena Hospital patients were transferred to other HCA Florida Healthcare facilities before the storm.
The City of St. Petersburg will reopen the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant at 12 a.m. Saturday. Roughly a quarter of the population can safely flush toilets, bathe, and wash clothes or dishes after Midnight. Officials cut power to the facility at 10:45 p.m. Thursday to protect it against Hurricane Helene’s storm surge.
The City of St. Petersburg has launched a geographic information systems (GIS) map that allows residents to enter their addresses and see if they can safely flush their toilets, bathe, and wash clothes or dishes without fears of causing a sewage overflow. Officials shuttered the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant due to Hurricane Helene’s storm surge Thursday night. Businesses and residences located north of 30th Avenue and east of I-275 cannot drain water.
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital has canceled the 11th annual Run for All Children set to occur Saturday due to Hurricane Helene’s “serious impact to many communities.” While the hospital will not reschedule the event, officials will share additional information in the coming day. Normal visitation policies have resumed at the hospital.
Tampa Bay Rowdies and USL Championship officials have postponed the club’s match Saturday against Hartford Athletic at Al Lang Stadium due to Hurricane Helene’s local impact. They have yet to announce a makeup date. For information regarding previously purchased tickets, write to the email address here.
Safety Harbor's 22-year-old Fire Marshal Brock Memorial Pier, severely damaged by Hurricane Debby in August, was destroyed by Hurricane Helene Thursday.
The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the southbound Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) from Hillsborough County to Pinellas County is now open. The northbound Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) from Pinellas County to Manatee County will remain closed until debris clearing and damage assessment is complete.
