As Hurricane Helene made its presence known in the Tampa area, it brought with it unprecedented water levels at all five tide gauges. These levels, never before observed since records began in 1950, have caused concern among residents and officials alike.
Despite the fact that Helene's eye remained over 100 miles away from Tampa Bay, the sheer size of the storm coupled with increasing winds on Thursday led to a powerful surge that continued to elevate water levels late into the night.
Here are the recorded water levels at the five Tampa area tide gauges:
- Old Port Tampa: 5.5 ft (previous record 4.8 feet from Hurricane Idalia in 2023)
- East Bay Tampa: 5.93 ft (previous record 4.56 feet from Hurricane Idalia in 2023)
- St. Petersburg: 5.47 ft (previous record 3.97 feet from Hurricane Elena in 1983)
- Port Manatee: 5.58 ft (previous record 3.69 feet from Hurricane Idalia in 2023)
- Clearwater Beach: 6.3 ft (previous record 4.02 feet from the 1993 Storm of the Century)
It is important to note that water levels in all locations were still on the rise as of 10:30 p.m. ET, indicating the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene on the region.
Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the situation continues to develop. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing updates to ensure the safety of everyone in the affected areas.
