The Tampa Bay death toll from Hurricane Helene rose to at least 11 on Saturday, with nine Pinellas deaths and two in Hillsborough.
Barrier island reopened in Pinellas late Saturday and residents continued to be evacuated. Water service was restored in some places, while others wait for power and internet service to return.
Meanwhile, donations flooded in and helpers emerged.
We’ll be adding updates this page throughout Sunday. In the meantime, here’s what to know from last night:
11 p.m. Pinellas barrier islands survey Helene’s damage
MADEIRA BEACH —For a moment, the couple on the beach tried to enjoy the view in front of them: An orange sun slipping into the Gulf of Mexico, the water aglow with shimmer.
“To remind ourselves why we live here,” said Mercy Roberg, walking along the sand. Her partner nodded.
Behind them, their coastal community was in tatters Saturday evening, bludgeoned by Hurricane Helene. The storm walloped the Pinellas County barrier island they call home with historic surge.
The Sheriff’s Office allowed residents back to their community Saturday — or, what remained of it.
— Olivia George and Teghan Simonton
7:35 p.m. Most Pinellas schools to open Monday
Officials announced on Saturday that most Pinellas County schools and offices will re-open and resume normal operations on Monday. The only ones that won’t are Gulf Beaches Elementary, Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 and Disston Academy.
School officials said people can visit www.pcsb.org/weather for more information.
Full story here.
— Chris Tisch
7 p.m. Forecasters watch another system
Weather forecasters on Saturday were watching an area of low pressure that could form in the western Caribbean Sea and move into the Gulf of Mexico just days after Hurricane Helene devastated Florida and the Tampa Bay area.
Full story here.
— Chris Tisch
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