Forgotten Fury Hurricane Helene's Devastation in Florida

Hurricane Helene tore through Florida, but the damage in Tampa Bay, including the famous beaches and St. Petersburg, has been overshadowed by the catastrophe elsewhere. This isn't about competition, it's about showing the full story of the storm's wrath. Pain isn't

This video explores the record storm surge, the over 20,000 homes severely damaged, and the 12 lives lost in the region. The potential for an even worse hurricane, higher storm surge and more devastation...looms in the models.

00:00 Intro
00:49 Pain isn't a competition
01:53 Helene's impact in Tampa Bay
05:10 New Homeowners
07:09 Tampa Bay Real Estate impact
08:50 Tampa Bay's Future and Storms
10:19 Worst case scenario shaping up next

[JonathanPetramala]

If you enjoy storytelling like this, please consider subscribing and turning on the alert button. I will be covering Hurricane Milton along with @wxchasing Please subscribe to his channel as well for our coverage!

[debbiesdeathpile]

As a Floridian I think that no one should be allowed to rebuild on a barrier island. They should be returned to their natural state for the reason they were intended, which is to protect all of us from nature’s devastation

[johnmidyette]

I am a 68 yr old native Fla boy who has experienced hurricanes in Fla, Louisiana, and Texas. Today an act of extreme kindness was shown to Us as we desperately looked For someone to erect out 2nd story storm shudders. A couple drove up, got their ladder out and helped me and my neighbor refusing to accept any pmt or donation. This couple has restored my faith in my fellow human being, yes it has changed me intensely as this is Agape Love that expects nothing in return as the reward is in their hearts.

[KanDee_Olson]

True we lost 45 years together of everything in a wild fire in Oregon last summer. The pain is the same no matter what kind of disaster.

[mikesullivan]

I’ve spent the past week helping clean up on St Pete Beach. It’s heartbreaking. This video captures very well what’s going on here, and now we are hunkering down for what’s sure to be worse. As I read through the comments, there are so many heartless people saying, “They knew the risks!” Well, if we abandon Florida because of hurricanes, California for earthquakes, the entire central US for tornados, etc. etc. etc., where will we all live? The moon? Like the man said, this isn’t a competition. Have some compassion, people, because you may be next. Nobody is safe from nature.

[AZsunflower]

Don't throw those photos away if you care about them. Many can be saved! Thank you for sharing about your area. Don't compare, just tell your story.

[Atreides]

I appreciate your addressing right away that this is not a pain olympics or a trauma competition. As someone who lived in FL from Charlie to Matthew and now lives in NC, my heart aches for everyone. I am sending you such love. Thank you so much for making this video. 💕💕

[AN]

We in North Carolina haven't forgotten about Florida and we think and pray even more for Florida with hurricane Milton moving in. We're hoping it turns and misses Florida all together . No one can help what the media covers, and not every where in NC is being covered, however it's been so heart warming to see how the locals from NC and Tennessee have stepped up to help each other .Regardless of what the media does and does not cover, we're all in this together no matter the miles in between . God Bless Us All and please Stay Safe 💙🙏❤️✝️

[Timothy]

I live in The Plains, Ohio and all we got was heavy rain and, wind gusts up to 50 mph and that was too much for my small town to handle. I told my mother, could you imagine what the people down in Florida, have had to go through. My heart truly goes out to everyone impacted by this storm.

[paulknight]

Augusta Ga here. I pray for everyone all through the south. It's devastating here too! Stay strong Florida

[daniellejarvis]

THANK YOU for saying it out loud: we are not in competition for suffers the most!! It's not either-or, like the media likes to portray. Thank you for bringing Florida to light. You are in our prayers as many of you brace for a second one this week.

[jwiki]

Thank you for posting about Florida. Praying for everyone affected by Helene in FL, GA, SC, TN, & NC.

[lisakay]

My heart breaks for all devasted by the storm and what's to come with Milton. I'm in Mobile, AL ... was raised in Biloxi and Ocean Springs, MS. We are all praying for safety for y'all. ❤️🙏

[KimDe]

Thank you for putting this video out. I feel like Florida was completely forgotten about. Please everyone stay safe, we have another storm on the way that is set to hit us.

[JSJSpeaks]

I was born and raised in St. Pete Beach, and I've lived in Western North Carolina for 14 years now; we left Tampa because of this precise reason, plus sea level rise and extreme heat. To have one hurricane destroy both areas in still incomprehensible to me. This was the most excellent piece I've seen in a long time, but I hate to have been right, you knows? Many thanks and good luck in the coming months, Jessica

[TempestIsa]

Absolutely!!! Just because someone lives in an area of frequent natural disasters and storms, does not negate their heartache loss, and despair. Praying for all of your safety, and that you receive the support that you desperately need!💔

[trashpanda]

I remember being really young and driving along the Florida coast before huge hotels were put in and there were still homes on the beach that were up in stilts about 10 ft or so off the ground

[stuckinks]

Lifelong Ks resident and multiple tornado survivor here. I’m thinking of you and your neighbors trying to wrap your heads around the destruction. Unfortunately, there are plenty of broken hearts to go around. Thank you for sharing these stories. Your resilience is commendable.

[SisterSherryDoingStuff]

I haven't seen anything on mainstream media about Florida - barely NC. Thank you.

[mariawells]

That is shocking! I hadn't seen anything on Florida. I'm glad you posted. God bless you all as you recover.