By Sophia Letourneaut
TAMPA- Hurricane Helene caused a storm surge in Tampa Bay, leading to flooding and damage affecting residents. Those in Flood Zone A were sent a mandatory evacuation notice on Sept. 25, according to Pinellas County.
The Category 4 storm posed a serious threat to residents with impacts on public buildings, communication systems, utilities and roads. The tropical storm would not reach them directly, yet the county still advised people to take caution. The official warning alerted the community Wednesday morning.
“That in light of the serious threat to the lives and property of Pinellas County residents posed by Helene, a mandatory evacuation is ordered for evacuation Zone A, and for all residents of mobile homes in any evacuation zone,” said Keiah Townsend, who wrote the alert from the Office of the County Attorney on behalf of Pinellas County.
When the notice was issued, some people followed the evacuation plan and sought safer areas to wait until it was safe to return, while others chose to remain.
Kailey Voll, 20, lives at her grandmother’s house in Dunedin within Pinellas County. She stayed in her home along with her family, while Hurricane Helene passed, and so did half of her neighbors. Voll witnessed the effects of the storm first-hand.
“My house flooded about a foot, the houses further on my street had about five to seven feet of water,” said Voll. “I did have quite a few people I know who are still without power, their bedrooms flooded, so of course I worried for my friends that don’t have a three-story house like me.”
The flooding in Voll’s home had taken its toll in her garage, soaking boxes from passed relatives. It even affected her father’s garden, the saltwater ruining it. At the end of her street, she said there was a dock, but afterwards there were only debris left everywhere. When asked if she prepared for the effects as a precaution, she said she did not think she had to.
“I always get told I’m in an evacuation zone and nothing ever happens, so we didn’t really think to prepare,” said Voll. “I really feel like Florida needs to take into better account how badly areas will be affected when they issue the warnings because I know a lot of people who didn’t prepare because we always get told it will be horrible and never is.”
Hillsborough County in Flood Zone A sent residents a similar message of leaving to avoid the storm to stay safe according to Hillsborough County.
Hagan Ausmann, 23, who lives in Channelside by Sparkman Wharf had to leave his home. He was able to stay with relatives in Flood Zone B. Ausmann prepared his apartment by moving outdoor furniture inside, bought non-perishable food items and moved valuables near windows to a room without them. When asked about how he felt about leaving his apartment, Ausmann expressed his concerns.
“Mildly concerned about wind since if we get real wind, things could get thrown around and that’s always unpredictable,” said Ausmann. “I lived in Texas before, and it was the same concern with tornados where you just have to hope nothing happens because it’s out of your control.”
When returning, Ausmann found that his property was unaffected besides flooding in the streets downtown. He was not surprised when he came home. Ausmann said even though he lives in an area that could be impacted by the storms, he knew he was fine. When asked about the seriousness of the notice, Ausmann had mixed feelings.
“Mixed bag,” said Ausmann. “For the parts of the city that drain well it wasn’t an issue but for Davis Island it was a real threat. You only have to be wrong once to end up dead.”