Tampa Bay area is experiencing heavy flood as Helen moved through Florida. The flood water has rushed inside the General Hospital in Tampa. On Thursday night at about 11:10 P.M. Hurricane Helene made landfall at Florida. The storm made landfall as category 4 and hours later it gradually weakened to category one storm with 90 mph wind speed.
The storm is expected to weaken as it turns northeast towards Georgia. The Government alerted people to evacuate their places and move to high areas. The Davis Beach experienced water overspill on the beach since Thursday morning. In the evening, the transportation access to Davis Islands has been blocked by floods.
Beach areas like Madeira Beach, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Downtown Tampa, Treasure Islands and nearby areas are heavily flooded as Helene moved towards Florida. In Madeira Beach, a sailboat broke due to heavy flooding. Following the Hurricane Helene, reporter Allyson Henning recorded a video of dolphins in Sarasota Bay. The beach conditions are not good in various regions of Tampa Bay.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, said, “We’re already seeing flooding in Madeira Beach and Indian Shores. This is going to get much worse. Please stay off the roads and never drive or walk through floodwaters.”
Schools, airports, and roadways across Florida are closed and more than 70,000 people across Franklin, Taylor, Liberty, and Wakulla were taken away under emergency evacuations. The weather forecasters expected heavy damage and destruction. As of Friday morning, more than 1.3 million people, along with 172,000 Georgian citizens are living without electricity. Few deaths have been recorded till now.
The St. Pete Police advised people to not drive through water, saying, “More views of flooding and we’re only just beginning to get the effects of the storm. See current conditions in the US area, Bayou Grande, and 62nd Ave NE /Foch St NE. Don’t attempt to drive through high water.”
From the experience of Hurricane Ian, the government said most people lost their lives by drowning. This time, people should not avoid the threats of hurricanes. As flooding and landslides were expected, the people were evacuated on compulsory evacuation and moved to higher grounds. The condition is expected to improve by next week. The lower areas are highly affected. Venice experienced heavy storm as the wind tore apart a house while passing through Tampa Bay. The people outside the flood zone in well built houses are reportedly safe.
