Helene updates: At least 7 dead in Tampa, Pinellas, officials say

• As forecasters feared, the Category 4 behemoth saved its worst for late in the evening, when storm surge peaked and sent a flood of Gulf water into homes across the coast as residents fled.

The latest: Officials have confirmed two storm-related deaths in Tampa and five in Pinellas, though they warn that, as they work to reach people in areas that were impassible Thurday night, the death toll could climb.

• Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands throughout the region remain without power.

What's next: Officials are conducting damage assessments as the work to calculate Helene's true cost begins.

Go deeper:

• Why Helene's large size, rapid intensification make it a threat
• How Helene could prey on hurricane myths

Send us your Helene stories, photos and videos: [email protected]

The Howard Frankland Bridge is now open in a limited capacity in both directions, per the Florida Department of Transportation.

• One eastbound lane of the Gandy Bridge is now open, joining the westbound lanes that reopened this morning.
• The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is open in both directions.
• The Courtney Campbell Causeway remains closed.

Access to Shore Acres and Snell Isle is now open, St. Petersburg officials said on X.