St. Petersburg, Florida – The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction across Pinellas County, with the storm surge causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and the environment. As residents in flood-prone areas grapple with the devastation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted aerial surveys over the Tampa Bay area to assess the extent of the damage.
The high-definition images captured during the flyover are a crucial tool in understanding the full impact of Helene’s wrath. The imagery will provide residents with a clearer picture of how the major hurricane wreaked havoc on properties and the surrounding areas. Pilots flew over various regions, including the Florida Big Bend, Cedar Key, and Steinhatchee, to survey the damage left in Helene’s wake.
Three days after the storm made landfall, aerial surveys revealed the extent of the destruction in Pinellas County. Pass-A-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach, Sunset Beach, Downtown St. Petersburg, Shore Acres neighborhood, Fort De Soto Park, and the St. Pete Pier all bore the brunt of Helene’s fury, with forecasters projecting several feet of water above ground level prior to the storm surge reaching its peak.
The images captured by the National Ocean Service showcase the impact of the storm, from submerged cars to burnt houses, painting a grim picture of the area’s worst storm in a century. Residents are now left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction.