The death toll in Tampa Bay from Hurricane Helene rose to at least 11 on Saturday, with nine Pinellas deaths and two in Hillsborough.
The barrier island in Pinellas reopened late Saturday and residents continued to be evacuated. In some places the water supply has been restored, while in other places they are waiting for the power and internet supply to be restored.
Meanwhile, donations poured in and helpers stepped forward.
We will be adding updates to this page throughout Sunday. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know from last night:
11:00 PM Pinellas Barrier Islands survey Helene damage
MADEIRA BEACH — For a moment, the couple on the beach tried to enjoy the view before them: an orange sun sliding into the Gulf of Mexico, the water glistening with brilliance.
“To remind ourselves why we live here,” Mercy Roberg said as he walked along the sand. Her partner nodded.
Behind them, their coastal community lay in tatters on Saturday evening, hit by Hurricane Helene. The storm knocked over the Pinellas County barrier island they call home with a historic wave.
The Sheriff’s Office allowed residents to return to their communities — or what remained of them — on Saturday.
Here’s what they found.
– Olivia George and Teghan Simonton
7:35 p.m. Most Pinellas schools open Monday
Officials announced Saturday that most schools and offices in Pinellas County will reopen and resume normal activities on Monday. The only ones that don’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
7:00 PM Forecasters are looking at a different 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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