As Hurricane Helene Strikes, Tampa Residents Battle Rising Floodwaters

Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and heavy rainfall have led to significant flooding in Tampa, causing road closures and disrupting access to certain areas. The impact of the hurricane has been particularly severe in the southern part of the city, prompting officials to take preventive measures.

Davis Islands Access Restricted

On Thursday night, authorities prevented drivers from crossing the bridges to and from Davis Islands due to extensive flooding. While access to Tampa General Hospital remained possible, vehicles were unable to enter the Davis Islands neighborhood. The flooding was attributed to the heavy rainfall brought by Hurricane Helene.

Bayshore Boulevard Shutdown

A stretch of Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, from Platt Street to Euclid Avenue, was closed for most of Thursday and into Friday. The closure was necessitated by water from the nearby river overflowing onto the typically busy street and into surrounding neighborhoods.

Widespread Flooding Reports

Officials reported flooding in various areas of Tampa, including:

• South West Shore Boulevard
• North River View Avenue

The southern part of the city was expected to experience the worst flooding, according to Tampa officials.

Evacuation Measures

In response to the flooding threat, Hillsborough County enacted a mandatory evacuation for:

• Evacuation Zone A
• All mobile and manufactured homes in the county

Damage Assessment

As soon as daylight permits, officials plan to survey the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. This assessment will help determine the next steps in the city’s response and recovery efforts.

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