Back to Back Hurricanes – Surviving Hurricanes Milton and Helene

Helene and Milton Two Different Storms

The most damage came from Helene on September 26, 2024 . A 6 to 8 foot storm surge rushed all waterfront properties near Clearwater Beach with a force that ripped homes from their foundations. Water crashed through sliding glass doors and out the next opening, be it a door or window with such force that refrigerators, cabinets and possessions of the occupants ended up on the streets.

Since Helene, we have watched thousands of cars have been hauled away as junk. Many floated from their garages to end up in a neighboring parking spot.

Several people lost their lives just blocks from our location – they decided to shelter in place as they had done in precious storms.

Two weeks after Helene, Milton thrashed the area on October 9, 2024 with 100 MPH winds and record rainfalls that peaked at almost 18 inches in St. Petersburg, just a few miles from Clearwater which received 10 plus inches.

What Helene left of homes on the ground, Milton took any remaining loose roofs, weak street light poles, boats not secured and free-standing garages. They were tossed around and battered, twisted and strewn in a heap far from their origins.

Some of the differences between the storms are compared here.

How Did We Make it Through Hurricanes and Aftermath

As we stated, they were two different storms, but we learned one BIG lesson! Despite weathering previous hurricanes, these two were different. Dangerous, disasterous and deadly. Our descriptions of what we chose to do and the results of our decisions follow.

Hurricane Helene

First, you should know that in the past year we had weathered Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Idalia. Both did what was predicted as they skirted our coast which produced 60-70 MPH winds and minimal storm surge for us despite predictions of more ominous impacts.

Both previous hurricanes caused major damage in what is known as the Big Bend near the Panhandle of Florida. Severe flooding, downed trees, homes destroyed were the impacts we should have learned from.

We stayed at home for Helene with little or no personal impact which lead to false confidence until we saw the destruction of our community.

Here is what we knew about Helene:

• • Helene was to come up the coast of Florida and again head for the Big Bend area.

• • It was a big wide storm and we were on the worst side (northeast). Rain and hurricane winds extended 150 miles on either side of the storm

• • Winds were predicted to be moderate and we were comfortable of the storm’s forecasted path.

• • We were warned of 6 to 8 feet of potential storm surge, but never thought it would happen here.

Despite the warnings, we stayed in our 6th floor confortable unit! Here is what happened –

• • The winds were not much more than we had seen before, but the westerly direction and constant force was enough to begin backing up the bays and rivers. High tides in some areas contributed to Helene’s surge.

• • Waves began pushing waters toward our condominium in the early evening before dark. By 5 or 6 PM storm shutters went down on the west side or our unit as the winds picked up. The Gulf had reached our wall that was supposed to protect from flooding.

• • By 8:30 PM as we looked out the east balcony, water was streaming over the walls of Clearwater Bay and running through the streets. Things were getting serious. The constant roar of the wind was deafening.

• • Power went off by 9 PM – we were prepared for that (more later on preparations). Views from our east facing balcony was that of water rushing through parking lots, streets and lapping at the front doors of ground floor condominiums across the street.

• • By 10 PM, 3-4 feet of water was running down Gulf Blvd. the main street. Crashing along the wall of the bay side of the island was a sailboat that had broken its moorings somewhere.

• • By this time we knew Helene was nothing like anything we had seen in the last 40 years. It also brought thoughts of – if we get out of this one…..

By morning the streets were full of sand and mud. As waters receded, the surge left cars, signs, dumpsters, sand and debris in the street. It was impassable until first responders made a path by 9 AM. The eerie calm and lack of life was all that was left – except the record breaking destruction.

Anything in the way of the storm surge was moved somewhere else.

We had made a mistake and we knew it. Not just because of the storm, but the aftermath was horrendous for anyone who had a ground floor home near the water.

The recovery we knew was going to be days or weeks. We packed up and headed out of town easing our way through the small path emergency workers had left through the street.

While first responders rescued hundreds of people – and recovered bodies of a few. The drive out of town along the waterfront was heartbreaking.

Still, almost three weeks later, at the time of this article, people are dragging the remainder of their possessions to the curb. The streets are lined with clothing, appliances, children’s toys and soaked furniture.

Just as we had hopes of recovery after returning three days later to mounds of sand and broken furniture on both sides of our street, little did we know that our visions of recovery would be dashed in a few more days.

Hurricane Milton

Less than a week after the devastation of Helene we started to hear reports of another system forming over near Mexico in the Gulf. No one gave much thought to it for a couple days. Then the famous spaghetti models started to track the storm to Florida. Not just anywhere in Florida, but Tampa Bay (our area) was right in the middle of the track.

As couple days passed, it was clear the new storm was going to become a hurricane and it was headng for us. Some predictions took it south of Clearwater Beach and Tampa Bay and some took it north – either way it was bad for us.

By Monday morning, October 7th, we knew we were not staying for this one (or any in the future). It was almost too late. We finally found a room two hours away at The Waterfront Inn in The Villages. Most hotels from Orlando to Ocala were booked already two and a half days before Milton was to land.

Another lesson – don’t delay booking a room early. You can always cancel.

On this Monday morning, here is what we knew –

• • Milton was a fast moving storm.

• • It was setting records for intensification and it became a Category 5 hurricane at one point two days before impacting us.

• • It was predicted to hit our area on Wednesday. We left Tuesday afternoon.

• • The impact on the Tampa Bay area was dependent on whether Milton landed north of us or south of us. North would mean bigger storm surge with westerly winds (again). South would mean high winds but less surge.

    

We got lucky, but the people located in the counties south of us – Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee – weren’t as fortunate. Milton landed at Siesta Key, a barrier island to Sarasota, Wednesday night with 100 MPH winds.

One of the significant things about Milton was the dozens of tornadoes that Milton spawned. They were deadly in other parts of Florida, but spared our area.

Milton was fierce, but damages were less dramatic. Roofs, garages, signs, awnings and many light poles were the casualties in our area. When we returned on Friday after the storm, the aftermath was still impactful.

Even the Waterfront Inn we returned to felt 50-70 MPH winds some 110 miles from Clearwater Beach. Another sleepless, but safe night on October 9, 2024 when Milton made landfall.

We returned on Saturday, October 12, 2024. We had no electric, cable, elevators or air conditioning. Fortunately, one hotel on the island was opening and we extended our refuge in hotels for a couple more days. Our inconvenience was insignificant to Milton’s impact.

The Aftermath of Helene and Milton

As we finish this article on Sunday, October 20, 2024, the beauty of one of the most famous barrier islands in Florida, Clearwater Beach, is gone. We will recover but for now –

• • sand blocks the major street access to the main beach.

• • alongside almost every street is debris from one of the storms.

• • Perhaps 20% of the businesses are open including restaurants, hotels, shops and attractions.

• • Dump trucks, bulldozers and repair vehicles fill our streets.

• • Gone are the tourists, weekenders and snow birds, for now.

For us, don’t worry, the worst things that we have to endure is our pool being closed and the internet went out (again)! It is almost embarrassing to mention any inconvenience we have compared to those who lost literally everything when 3 to 4 hours of storm surge ravaged our island and then it was capped off with 100 MPH winds a few days later.

Some Tips To Weather a Hurricane

We made a stupid decision with Helene and a wiser decision with Milton. We think these are some tips you may use to stay safe prior to, during and after a hurricane –

Tip #1 – If a hurricane is predicted to make landfall within 150 miles of you – GET OUT! GET SAFE! High ground and a strong structure are your friends.

Tip #2 – Remember, just because you find safety, that doesn’t mean you will have, power, internet, television, food or any typical comforts. Pack wisely (see more suggestions below).

Tip #3 – One of the first things to do if there is even a hint of a tropical storm or hurricane, keep your car’s gas tank filled. Today, some eleven days after Hurricane Milton, many of the local gas stations are finally receiving fuel. Even two hours away, near our refuge hotel, gas was hard to find.

Tip #4 – Don’t think you may just be away in a shelter for a few hours or a day. In our case, the barrier islands were closed for three days after Helene while crews made the island safe. Pack for several days, have cash stashed for an emergency and see some of the recommendations for creature comforts (things that help your well-being!)!

Creature Comforts for a Hurricane or Storm

At the risk of sounding like a sales pitch for some of the things that kept us comfortable without power, elevators and internet, the items below may help you keep from totally going crazy from boredom in a major storm.

Hurricane/Storm Kit

 While we acted foolishly during Helene, we did have our hurricane kit to make things bearable. We have always kept a kit in a closet that included –

• • Two flashlights with batteries removed until needed. Included also is two sets of batteries of the proper size.

• • Two battery-operated room lights that can light an entire room. Also, two sets of batteries that fit the lights.

• • Candles (as a last resort) – we would never use candles unless we had some very good reason. They could be used to heat water for coffee if used outside-not inside! (See the power pack idea below.)

• • Complete packages of batteries for all of our electronics like the computer mouse and anything else you use on a regular basis like a reading light.

• • A battery-operated radio. Yes, an old-fashioned AM/FM radio can be a comfort if all other communication devices are dead or unavailable.

• • A good battery backup that re-powers cell phones, ipads and laptop computers.

While this sounds like a lot, it all fits comfortably in a plastic box that rests neatly on a closet shelf. It has kept our sanity more than once when storms caused us to lose power. 

We also take the battery backups when on extended vacations taking pictures and videos which runs the our cell phones out of power.

Things We Use To Weather A Storm (or Hurricane)

All of these items we have used to help us stay in communication, keep lights on and have some news and information during a home power outage.

After Hurricane Milton a friend showed me something new that I am ordering for one of my sons who is an avid camper. This sounds pretty neat!

Getting Television Without Cable TV

You can turn this feature on and off at will. If you turn it on, and have the proper plan, your phone becomes a source for wifi available to use on most any device. It will come up as “Iphone 358” or “John’s Iphone” or whatever you named your phone.

If you have an unlimited data plan, you have the option of using “low data mode”. Turn that off and your laptop, computer and smart TV can be operated using your cell phone as a wifi connection.

NOTE: The procedure above is for an iphone with an unlimited data plan. Other cell phones have the option if your carrier allows it. Also, having the battery backups above allows your devices to maintain full charges for long term usage.

In our case, Spectrum has their live TV app for cell phones and we watched programming offered by Spectrum throughout the storm(s). It was a great way to keep busy while winds are clowing 60 MPH outside!

For more information about activating this feature, contact your carrier for the next storm, power outage or cable company loss of service.

Almost 100% Impact on Barrier Islands

On October 20, 2024 we drove the entire distance of the Gulfront from Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Gille. This 23 mile jouney covers almost all ther barrier islands in Pinellas County. We were shocked at the damages and would be remiss if we didn’t say that the severity of destruction, clearly visible 11 days after Milton appeared far greater than our island of Sand Key.

We found –

• Some places in far south Pinellas are still digging out of sand covered, impassable roads.
• Many areas had huge piles of home contents strewn in the streets.
• Mounds of sand as high as a three-story house.
• Few businesses open and that may never recover.

The pictures below were taken on this journey.