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Important Post-Hurricane Updates
 Pinellas County has lifted its mandatory evacuation for residents and businesses in Evacuation Zone A except for those along the barrier islands, including Clearwater Beach.
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- Access to the barrier islands remains closed as crews assess damage to roads and other critical infrastructure. Pinellas County’s evacuation order has been rescinded for all mobile homes and Zone A residents except for the barrier islands, which remain closed. It is still unknown at this time when they will reopen.
- To assist residents still located on the beaches, Pinellas County will offer a complimentary transportation service starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, to help them exit the restricted area.
- Road conditions around Pinellas County are extremely dangerous in many places. Don't risk your life or your vehicle. There are still a lot of roads that are under water. If you don’t absolutely have to be somewhere, stay home. Never drive through flood waters; turn around, don't drown. If you must drive and it is safe to do so, use Waze app or website for latest road and bridge closure information.
Clearwater Beach Updates
- Public safety employees continue to help people who remained on Clearwater Beach in order to evacuate to other locations. Clearwater Fire & Rescue received calls from and rescued more than 30 people from Clearwater Beach so far today.
- There are unsafe conditions that include dangerous debris, such as glass, propane tanks, splintered wood, metal, etc. Many areas still have standing water, and there are multiple water leaks causing water pressure issues.
- Most of Clearwater Beach is still without power. As power is restored, there could be risk of fire and electrical current.
- Fire departments on the barrier island are working to return stations to a state of operational readiness. Efforts are under way to protect property, as there is the potential for fires as electricity is systematically restored.
- Clearwater Beach wastewater lift stations are still without power. Some are damaged, and some are being powered by generators. Occupancy on the beach would create additional risk of wastewater spills on Clearwater Beach.
- City crews are activating our emergency debris removal service while working to remove debris and sand from roadways on Clearwater Beach, which in some areas is as high as 4 to 6 feet. Crews will be using parking lots to be determined on Clearwater Beach as staging locations for debris that is removed from the roadways. There are specific FEMA and state regulatory requirements that have to be followed when dealing with debris and sand, so everyone is asked to be patient while crews work. Crews need to be able to do their work without significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic further restricting their ability to navigate the barrier island beyond the issue.
- Due to the devastation to properties on Clearwater Beach, the city is mobilizing its emergency debris contractor. Demolition debris and landscaping debris must be separated into piles near the curb for pickup. Understand pick up of this debris may not occur for up to seven days or more, to allow residents time to collect the debris and place it out once they are allowed to return to their residences or businesses.
Staff is not yet able to handle commercial debris until the road network is returned to a state of being drivable and further progress is made with removing road debris.
- Traffic signals were inundated with salt water and are currently not operating. Initial assessments indicate the traffic signals may potentially need to be rebuilt.
- The stormwater system is inundated with debris, trash, and sand, making rapid flooding possible should heavy rains occur.
- More rain is expected this weekend, which could complicate issues further.
 Report storm damage in your neighborhood or in the community through Clearwater Connect, the city's online reporting system. For immediate emergencies, always call 911. Use the "Hurricane Helene" category.
- If you have an electric car, electric bike, or golf cart, and it was exposed to salt water via flooding, it needs to be moved away from your home by at least 50 feet. These vehicles may catch fire in the coming days.
- Avoid driving through saltwater. Saltwater intrusion can cause EVs to catch fire, which can not only destroy the vehicle, but also put your home or nearby structures in jeopardy.
- Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386. This is for people who need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene, and the service connects people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able assist with jobs, such as cleaning up, trees, tarps and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11.
- This hotline cannot assist with social services, such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.
- If you have lost or found a pet, visit Pinellas.gov/Lost-And-Found.
- The Pinellas County Animal Services shelter is closed Friday, Sept. 27 and anticipates opening Saturday morning. At that time, you can visit the Pinellas County Animal Services’ Found Center to check for your lost pet or to drop off a found pet at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
- Found Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can check other local animal shelters as well.
- If you find a lost pet on Friday, Sept. 27, you may be able to take it to Tampa Bay Vet Specialists Emergency Center, 1601 S. Belcher Road, Largo. Call first: (727) 531-5752.
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Closures and Reopening Information
- All Clearwater libraries will open Saturday, Sept. 28, with exception of the Beach Library. People can go there to use it for air conditioning, internet access, power and charging.
- All recreation centers in Clearwater will open Saturday, Sept. 28, with normal operating hours except the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center and Ross Norton Recreation Center, which is in use as a shelter.
- All parks on the mainland are in the process of being inspected and will reopen once deemed clear and safe for the public to use and enjoy.
- The Clearwater Harbor Marina Office and the Clearwater Fuel Dock will resume normal operations Saturday, Sept. 28. The Clearwater Harbormaster's Office will resume normal operations Monday, Sept. 30.
- Seminole Boat Ramp is closed.
- When the bridges reopen to Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 will remain closed, due to storm damage.
- The Clearwater Airpark has resumed normal operations as of Friday, Sept. 27.
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 Potable/Drinking Water
- The city's drinking water system is safe and operating properly. It is safe to drink and bathe in.
Reclaimed Water Update
- The city of Clearwater has shut down the reclaimed water system to help prevent its contributing to local flooding in case the pipes break.
- This service change is expected to last through early next week.
Water Conservation Updates
- Continue to conserve water post-storm as best you can at this time. Even now that Helene has passed, continue conserving water as infrastructure repairs and recovery efforts may take time.
Floodwater
- The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County urges residents to be aware of the health risks associated with flooding and other issues. Skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk. However, health hazards are a concern when waters are or become contaminated with bacteria or contain dangerous debris.
- Solid waste crews picked up Friday's solid waste routes -- solid waste, recycling and yard waste -- on Friday. Crews will make a second pass and collect that same route again for black barrels only on Saturday, Sept. 28, for those who may have missed today's pickup. Secure your recycling and yard waste until your next pickup.
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Residents should put yard waste and other demolition debris at the curb and keep it separate from your regular black barrel collection. Due to the overwhelming amounts of debris that resulted from Helene, it could take several days for crews to clear your yard debris. Please be patient with our crews.
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Don't rake things to the curb. Loose debris and leaves must be in a bag, box or non-city-issued garbage can. Put limbs in neat piles that will be easy for our crews to pick up.
- Sixty traffic signals along the mainland were offline after the storm, and the city’s traffic operations team addressed all of those intersections by 3 p.m. Friday. The intersections are either working properly or are on generator power.
- The majority of traffic lights on the beach are not working properly due to flooding and saltwater intrusion, and many will need to be reprogrammed.
- Crews responded to 51 calls of trees down Friday, Sept. 27. The main city roadways in the mainland have been successfully cleared, and crews worked to open up access along to routes to Clearwater hospitals.
Have a question or concern? Reach out and let us know.
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