The City of St. Petersburg is actively engaged in recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Helene. The Emergency Operations Center remains fully operational as city leaders focus on both immediate and long-term recovery plans for the community.
According to a situation report from the City, street teams and damage assessment units are currently working in neighborhoods that were previously inaccessible. They aim to provide resources to affected residents and assess the extent of the damage. As part of these efforts, 160 downed trees have been reported, all nine city boat ramps are damaged and closed, and 574 requests have been received through SeeClickFix.
To assist residents during this time, three cooling stations have been opened where people can cool off and charge their electronics. Additionally, local food trucks will be deployed to severely impacted areas to provide meals to those recovering from storm-related damages.
City Stormwater crews are also involved in street sweeping and clearing lines. In collaboration with the County, a hazardous waste collection event is being held at SPC Allstate campus for residents to dispose of hazardous materials accumulated due to the storm.
Normal business operations at city facilities are expected to resume on Monday, September 30. While St. Pete Pier is open, its playground remains closed.
The St. Pete Fire Rescue reported three damaged stations, seven structure fires, 86 water rescues, and a total of 1,744 emergency calls during the storm period from September 26-28.
Meanwhile, the St. Pete Police Department addressed issues such as up to 97 traffic signals going out—most of which have been restored—80 disabled vehicles responded to, 65 downed power lines managed, seven police vehicles damaged by the storm, and one confirmed storm-related death.
Efforts for debris pick-up across the city are underway with multiple sweeps planned for collecting storm debris starting no sooner than October 7. Residents are advised not to place debris in trash bags but instead separate it into categories like vegetative debris or appliances before placing it near roadways for collection.
For further information on recovery resources or updates on ongoing efforts post-Hurricane Helene, residents can visit www.stpete.org/helene.
