ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – t. Petersburg is beginning to assess the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch will provide updates and address the community in a press conference today at 11 a.m. The conference will be held at the St. Pete Emergency Operations Center and will be streamed live on the City’s Facebook page.
The city is facing significant challenges in the aftermath of the hurricane. The storm surge exceeded 6 feet, causing flooding across 100.6 miles of road. All boat ramps are closed and barrier islands remain inaccessible. Traffic lights are out in many areas, requiring officers to direct traffic. Overnight, St. Pete Fire Rescue responded to 3 structure fires. Thankfully, first responders have rescued 70 people so far.
Read: Tampa International Airport Resumes Operations After Hurricane Helene
Currently, 750 individuals are seeking shelter at Gibbs High and John Hopkins Middle schools. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with six Fire Rescue boats deployed in Shore Acres, Snell Isle, and Venetian Isles. The City’s emergency lines have been inundated with over 300 calls as of 7 a.m. City crews are actively working to clear roadways and address the approximately 85 reports of downed trees. All City brush sites are open except for the one on 62nd Ave.
A major concern is the temporary shutdown of the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant. Residents and businesses north of 30th Avenue N and east of I-275/Haines Road are impacted.
Read: Hurricane Helene Weakens To Tropical Storm After Florida Landfall
To prevent sewage backups, these individuals should avoid draining water, showering, doing laundry, or flushing toilets. An emergency contractor is on-site working to restore plant operations. If you are unsure if you are affected, call (727) 893-7261.
For further storm-related inquiries, contact the Citizen Information Center at 727-893-7111 or servicecenter@stpete.org. Power outages should be reported to Duke Energy at duke-energy.com/outages.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.