CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater city leaders announced that residents and business owners can return to Clearwater Beach, Island Estates, Sand Key and other barrier islands after Hurricane Helene.
The city said it reopened access to the islands at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
While access has reopened, residents and business owners will still have to prove they have property in the area to get through the police checkpoint.
"To keep the re-entry process moving as smoothly and quickly as possible, it is preferred that residents or business owners show their barrier island re-entry passes to expedite the process," city leaders said.
To learn more about the barrier island re-entry pass, tap here.
Those who don't have a re-entry pass may be delayed. In addition, some areas of Clearwater Beach, Island Estates and Sand Key may still be without power. While water is drinkable, residents may experience very low water pressure, leaders said.
In the meantime, those returning to the three areas are being asked to reduce their use of water and should not drain pools, do loads of laundry or take baths. City leaders said short showers would be more beneficial.
While residents and business owners are returning, city leaders say the beach communities are still closed off to visitors. Pier 60 is also still closed after the damage it encountered during Hurricane Helene.
In addition, public parking lots are closed, as they are being used for equipment storage and other cleanup operations.
"Residents and business owners should proceed with caution," leaders stated. "There are a large amount of clean-up and response vehicles on the beach roadways, and vehicles should proceed with caution."
Those returning should also know that some traffic signals are not working, so drivers should treat some intersections as four-way stops.
Those with questions can call the city information center at 727-562-4682 until 5 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Those with storm response and damage-related questions can call the Pinellas County Citizen Information Center at 727-464-4333. That service is available 24 hours a day.
