Pinellas Beaches

The project needs signatures from about 400 property owners in three communities by the end of the weekend to move forward with the project to replenish beaches.

Many Pinellas County business owners and workers say they are ready to welcome snowbirds and vacation-seeking visitors. Changes in tourism trends in the state’s coastal playgrounds will be revealed in the coming months and years, especially during peak tourism season.

Pinellas County's beaches were flattened by the triple whammies of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year. Now, a new ordinance may give what's left of its dunes a fighting chance.

Helene brought up to 18 feet of waves at the mouth of Tampa Bay, less than 10 miles from the shoreline. The storm surge also overtopped the Gulf-side seawall by up to 2 feet and bayside seawall by over 4 feet.

Residents of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde have been under boil water notice since Friday. If any leaks connect to their home or businesses, they'll have to cover the repair.

The two young men are using their own boat to collect and ferry supplies to the Pinellas County barrier islands. They also helped evacuate people immediately after the storm.

At last check, thousands of people in Pinellas County still didn't have electricity.

Officials caution against people coming out to the barrier islands to hang out or gawk at the storm damage. They say residents and workers need their space as cleanup and damage assessment continues.

The hurricane brought levels of storm surge that communities haven't seen in years. Crews are continuing to assess damage in neighborhoods that got hit with flooding.

County officials warn residents should not just return it to the beach, as it could be contaminated.

The city of St. Petersburg brought in mobile laundry operations to help people without power after Hurricane Helene, water or safe housing.

Road crews clearing tons of sand and people pulling debris from homes and businesses are just a few examples from Helene's aftermath.