Pinellas County barrier islands remain closed after being battered by Hurricane Helene

Barrier islands closed after Hurricane Helene Briona Arradondo reports TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Pinellas County's barrier islands were closed Friday after Hurricane Helene as first responders worked to clear the roads and access damage to homes and businesses swamped by storm surge. The damage is so severe that Pinellas County officials have shut off potable water to the barrier islands from John’s Pass to Fort De Soto Park. Any remaining water must be boiled before use, specifically affecting St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde customers. For many, the extent of the destruction from the storm was a first. "Before there’d be minor flooding but nothing to this magnitude," said Claudia Fergang, a Treasure Island resident who stayed on the barrier island in her second-floor condominium. Treasure Island Fire Rescue Chief Trip Barrs said crews are still working to access places like Sunset Beach. "There’s six feet of sand over the roads with telephone poles and debris," said Bar...