TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Helene has left a record storm surge, catastrophic flooding and other severe impacts after it passed by the Tampa Bay area Thursday night.
On Friday, county leaders provided updates on impacts, services reopening, and reminders on what's still closed.
What impacts have been reported in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County officials confirmed two people died within the region as a result of the storm.
The first fatality happened around 8 p.m. Thursday when a sign struck a 23-year-old traveling in a car.
On Friday, officials also confirmed a woman "in her late 70s" was found by a neighbor. Tampa police officers are continuing to investigate the incident, but the county said water made it into the woman's home and it may have been related to electrical conditions.
As of 1 p.m. on Friday, county government leaders confirmed that the mandatory evacuation order within Hillsborough County had been lifted. But, they added that drivers should still be aware of hazards in the road.
"Do not drive through obstructions or standing water, and stay away from downed power lines," officials said in a Facebook post.
Hurricane Helene's impacts in Hillsborough County
What recovery efforts are underway in Hillsborough County?
Tampa Fire Rescue crews were reportedly able to rescue 52 people along with eight dogs.
There have been 256 reported downed powerlines, more than 93 flood-related calls and nearly 70 downed trees.
Between 11 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday, Hillsborough County fire crews said they responded to 256 service calls. Three of those were related to car fires, 11 were related to motor vehicle accidents, 2 electrocutions, 5 sinking vehicles and 47 structural fire responses.
County officials said there were more than 500 victim rescues, though no deaths were reported.
What has reopened in Hillsborough County?
As of 3 p.m. Friday, both lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge are open. Meanwhile, the westbound lanes of the Gandy Bridge are back open. The eastbound lanes remain closed.
The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge are back open. The northbound lanes remain closed at this time.
TPA reopened Friday morning after airport operations staff determined there was no damage to facilities from the storm.
Two other airports managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, Tampa Executive and Plant City airports, have also reopened.
What is still closed in Hillsborough County?
All Hillsborough County offices and facilities closed Thursday to allow staff to focus on emergency response efforts. This includes libraries, parks, preserves and recreation centers.
All conservation parks and nature preserves closed at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
As for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, normal operations are expected to resume on Friday, Sept. 27, but 10 Tampa Bay has not been able to confirm if the theme park has reopened.
The Florida Aquarium has been closed since Thursday with no word of reopening.
The following Publix stores have been closed in Hillsborough County:
- #628 (243 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa)
- #1113 (6434 N US Highway 41, Apollo Beach)
- #1260 (5052 N Highway 41, Apollo Beach)
For more information on what's closed county-by-county in Tampa Bay, click here.
