CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – There is still no access to the barrier islands in Pinellas County Friday morning.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office closed bridges and blocked roads from the Dunedin Causeway to Tierra Verde. There was no immediate word on when it would be opened to residents.
WFLA meteorologist Leigh Spann said Clearwater saw a record 7.9 feet of storm surge from Hurricane Helene overnight.
The video below shows the winds and water by Island Estates on Clearwater beach at about 7 p.m. Thursday.
Longtime residents said they are devastated from the flooded waters. It’s the worst they’ve seend in 35 years.
No one will be allowed onto the barrier islands until crews can clear the roads and law enforcement determines that it is safe to return.
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