For a moment, the couple on the beach tried to enjoy the view in front of them: An orange sun slipping into the Gulf of Mexico, the

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Pinellas County officials reopened access to beaches and barrier islands to residents, business owners and employees at 4 p.m. Saturday. A Barrier Island Re-Entry Permit is required. Several residents in the nearby communities have been working to clean up since the storm surge from Helene caused massive flooding.

Pinellas County's barrier islands are closed post-Hurricane Helene; residents await home return as cleanup and security patrols continue.

Thousands of residents along the Tampa Bay area’s beachside communities were told to leave Wednesday morning as Hurricane Helene threatened potentially record-breaking surge of more than five feet. Those who defied the orders, from St. Pete Beach north to Redington Shores, told the Tampa Bay Times it’s a decision they quickly regretted.

Law enforcement escorted people out of the barrier islands due to dangerous conditions following Hurricane Helene. Pinellas County Officials said barrier islands will remain closed.

Our coastal communities in Pinellas County got hit hard with homes and businesses taking on several feet of water. Streets turned into beaches on Madeira Beach as the sand washed over.

Pinellas County residents who live on the barrier islands and evacuated ahead of Hurricane Helene are still waiting to assess the storm damage.