Pinellas County announces school and community updates ahead of the week

For emergency resources and information in Pinellas County, visit Disaster.Pinellas.gov.

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County officials discussed updates on Helene’s recovery from emergency management, search and rescue, Duke Energy and FEMA.

At Treasure Island, each structure supported between 2 and 6 feet of water, officials said. Both lanes of Gulf Boulevard remain restricted and closed in certain areas.

Access to barrier islands remains restricted to residents and business owners only. As of Sunday morning, not all buildings had been inspected, so residents are urged to be cautious.

Pinellas County barrier islands now open with restrictions

Power is still out and drivers are asked to travel with caution. Search and rescue missions, along with more than 100 crew members, were deployed to remove sand and work on the islands.

Shelters are open and available for those who need them.

“It won’t be our home, but it will be safe,” said Barbara Hernandez, Pinellas County communications director.

To report damage to FEMA, residents can call 1-800-621-3362 or online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and Pinellas County school leaders discussed how schools will operate ahead of this week following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the region.

After an assessment on Sunday, only eight schools remain without power out of the 40 schools without power on Friday. As of Sunday morning, 80,000 Pinellas residents were still without power, mainly those on the beaches.

According to the county, the storm surge caused significant damage to two Pinellas County schools: Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8.

The closures will impact the Lealman Innovation, Osceola Fundamental and Walsingham Elementary school communities. The district does not anticipate a teacher shortage.

Pupils from Madeira Beach Primary School will attend Walsingham Primary School (11:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.)
Madeira Beach Middle students will attend Osceola Fundamental High (12:10 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
Osceola Fundamental High students will attend school from 6:25 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

Before-school care for students at Madeira Beach Elementary School will be available by Wednesday for parents to drop off their children at the normal start time of 8 a.m. if necessary. Transportation will be provided to the new sites.

All Pinellas County schools will return to normal operations Monday, except for the two schools that suffered major damage, as well as Disston Academy. The approximately 70 students from Disston Academy will join Lealman Innovation.

These three schools will reopen on Wednesday, October 2, as part of the district’s storm recovery plan.

PHOTOS: Tampa Bay area devastated by Hurricane Helene

The district will provide child care on Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1 for students attending Gulf Beaches and Madeira Beach Fundamental from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tyrone Middle School. Families do not need to register in advance, but must register at drop-off.

Superintendent Hendrick said hundreds of school employees lost their homes or suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene. An employee lost his life during the storm.

Hendrick offered support on behalf of the school district, “for days, weeks and months” for the mental health of students and staff.

“As a community, we come together to support each other,” Hendrick said.

Search and rescue teams respond to Treasure Island after Hurricane Helene

“Pinellas County Schools is committed to providing continued, high-quality education to all students,” the district said.

WFLA livestreamed the press conferences Sunday morning, which can be viewed in the video players above.

For more information on Pinellas County Schools, click here.

For resources on FEMA, debris removal and Pinellas County updates, click here.

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