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Hurricane Helene Post-Storm #1
September, 27 2024
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September 27, 2024 at 6 p.m.
As forecasted, Hurricane Helene brought historic storm surge to coastal and low-lying areas across Pinellas County, causing widespread flooding, prompting hundreds of water rescues overnight and tragically resulting in five deaths in Pinellas County.
Access to the barrier islands remained closed as crews assess damage to roads and other critical infrastructure. The County’s evacuation order for residents in Zone A and mobile homes remains in effect.
City Updates
- Dunedin City Hall will be open Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a "Cooling/Charging Station" for residents without power. Please bring your chargers.
- All scheduled programs and events for Friday, September 27th are canceled. Public parks, and Recreation facilities, including the Pool and Sprayground, will reopen on Saturday, September 28.
- The Causeway bathrooms remain closed until further notice.
- Soccer and Little League no games this weekend.
- The Dunedin Library will remain closed until power is restored.
- The Marina is closed until further notice due to significant storm damage. Vessel owners are allowed to check on their boats with pre-approved marina passes.
- Stirling Park Driving Range is closed until further notice.
- Power outages: Duke Energy reports crews are working with multiple agencies to restore power to critical services like hospitals, water treatment plants, pump stations, and facilities providing emergency services. At this point, they are not able to provide estimated times of restoration. To better understand their restoration sequence process: https://www.duke-energy.com/outages/restoring-your-power
Disaster Relief
- City staff are assessing local property damages and working with FEMA on disaster relief.
- Get updates on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by visiting disaster.pinellas.gov, Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov; search hashtag #PCHelene.
- Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey and selecting “Hurricane Helene” from the dropdown menu.
- Trash & recycling collection resumed on Friday, September 27 and will continue through the weekend. We’re asking our community to be patient with delays in collection of storm debris.
- If flooding has occurred at your property please place flooded household materials and tree/yard debris in separate piles at the curb. FEMA will be on site to assess flood debris and bring in FEMA approved contractors for collections. We will have more information on storm flood debris collections next week.
- The City recycle sites will remain closed until our division’s storm related responsibilities allow for manpower to service them. New information and updates will be available on all City social media platforms and DunediNews enews updates.
Please contact Solid Waste for more information: 727-298-3215 SolidWaste@DunedinFL.Net
Latest Storm Updates and Reminders
- Limit travel, if possible, as many roads have high water, storm debris and possible trees and power lines down.
- Do not wade through floodwaters, which could have live power lines, sewage, wildlife and dangerous objects.
- Use a generator safely. Keep generators in well-ventilated locations outside, away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
- Water-damaged power outlets can cause fires. Keep your power off after home flooding until an electrician can take a look.
- If you have an electric vehicle or golf cart and it was exposed to salt water, it needs to be moved away from your home by at least 50 feet. These vehicles may catch fire in the coming days.
- City water is safe for drinking, but we ask you to continue to conserve use at this time.
Additional Recourses:
Duke Energy - Contact Duke Energy to report or view current power outages in the area. City of Dunedin Website - Check out our website for important updates and information. Road Closures - For traffic and closure updates across our area. Clean-Up Hotline: Crisis Cleanup has activated the Hurricane #Helene Cleanup Hotline: (844) 965-1386.
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Report Damage
Report damages to your home, business, roads or other public infrastructure to qualify our community for federal aid.
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Do Not Walk In Flooded Streets
Warning: Do Not Walk in Flooded Streets Do NOT walk through flooded street waters. Water may contain pesticides, sewage, insects, snakes etc. It’s just not safe. This is not the time to play in the rain.
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Important Message - Duke Energy
Rather than this being a traditional wind and rain hurricane, the flooding makes this unprecedented. At this moment, Duke Energy crews are working with multiple fire/rescue agencies to make it safe for them to enter the flood waters to make boat rescues, the first responders were concerned about electrical hazards while doing their work.
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Unlicensed Activity Red Flags
Unlicensed contractors often target homeowners following a storm. Ensure that any contractors you hire for repairs are properly licensed.
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After the Storm Resources
The storm might be North of us now, but there is still work to be done and dangers around us.
Please visit our Hurricane Page on our website to learn what you need to do after the storm
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County Information Center
Questions about Hurricane Helene? The County Information Center is open today from 7 am - 10 p.m. for storm questions at 727-464-4333.
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Subscribe to our Newsletter
Subscribe to DunediNEWS, our weekly e-newsletter, for direct updates every Thursday. Stay informed without relying on social media, and receive special storm/hurricane updates for added safety. It’s the best way to stay in the know.
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