MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Law enforcement escorted people out of the barrier islands due to dangerous conditions following Hurricane Helene.
Pinellas County officials said barrier islands will remain closed.
Significant storm surge pushed several feet of water into homes, causing widespread devastation and a massive cleanup effort ahead.
People waited for hours at the Publix and McDonalds near Duhme Road, right off the Tom Stuart Causeway. Buses made one way trips off the island starting at 6 p.m. Christine Behring described what her neighborhood looked like as she left.
“Oh my goodness, never have I seen anything like that,” Behring said. “I’ve been here for many, many years and it’s sad. I’m happy to be off the barrier island. My home is there. It’s destroyed but I just needed to get off of there.”
Gulf Boulevard was covered by sand. Crews worked to pile up the sand and clear the road. Officials said 100 pipes were damaged. They said there are broken private water lines in homes and businesses. Debris is everywhere.