A raging river of Gulf of Mexico water ripped through the heart of Madeira Beach just minutes after deputies blocked access to Pinellas County’s barrier islands at 6 p.m. Thursday. It would be dusk by the time these densely populated islands would start facing the peak of Hurricane Helene’s storm surge,

Pinellas County Deputies and work crews are cleaning up the barrier islands. Photos shared by PCSO show the sand and debris in the wake of Hurricane Helene. This is Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores.

They’re predicting three to six inches of rain, 60 mph winds and think the higher surge and higher tides will stick around for 24 to 36 hours. Cathie Perkins, the director of Pinellas County Emergency Management, said if you flooded during Idalia or Eta, you’re probably going to flood again during Helene.

Officials in Pinellas have been working on renourishing and recovering its shoreline after Hurricane Idalia's wrath last year, but it's expected to take another beating by Helene.

Pinellas County in Florida enacts mandatory evacuations for Zone A and mobile home residents due to Hurricane Helene's approach.

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