🏖️ Helene's sandy toll

It's Friday Jr. You made it!

😎 Mostly sunny. 91°/75°.

• Sounds like: "Come Clean," Hilary Duff.

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👋 Kathryn here. I spent a few hours yesterday on Pinellas County beaches shadowing University of South Florida researchers as they assessed the state of the shoreline post-Hurricane Helene.

• It was the first full day the barrier islands were open to the public since up to 7 feet of storm surge swept into homes and businesses up and down the coast.

Why it matters: It was clear, driving past mountains of sand and water-damaged belongings, with decay in the air, why county leaders told visitors, sightseers — anyone without a reason to be there — to stay away.

• I also understand the urge to want to see for yourself what happened to the beaches so many of us love.

Here's my attempt to be your eyes and ears.

Imagine this ridge of debris on a curb in Madeira Beach, but everywhere.

• Along Gulf Boulevard and side streets were piles and piles of appliances, couches, mattresses stacked five high, the drywall and wood-plank guts of buildings.
• And everywhere, the debris reminded me where I was: beach chairs, boogie boards, pool noodles and rattan furniture with those Florida-style seat cushions, patterned with tropical leaves and birds of paradise.

It cannot be overstated how much sand there is, swept into plumes of grainy mist, dumped onto the beach by front loaders and piled in parking lots.

• And yes, parking was even more of a nightmare than usual.

I guess we know where at least some of the sand came from. So many dunes didn't survive. They were pushed into pools, first-floor parking garages — or right into homes.

• Retired engineer Robert Ackart showed me the up to 2 feet of sand piled in the courtyard of a condo complex where he owns a first-floor unit.

The surge moved some big structures. Boardwalks were tossed around like toys, while a mangled jungle gym wrapped around palm trees in Belleair Beach.

Not even the mansions of Belleair Shore came out unscathed.

• Helene tore up the lavish backyard paradise of this home that Philadelphia Phillies player Ryan Howard sold in 2019 to Clearwater developer Ben Mallah for $16.5 million.

Nothing about this walk on the beach felt normal. But there was Kenny Kohler, strumming an acoustic guitar on his back patio that now, sans dunes, offered an uninterrupted view of the sugar sand and sparkling Gulf.

• Right. This is why we live here.

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Red tide has been detected in Pinellas County water samples, adding a new concern for a region still early in its recovery from Hurricane Helene.

State of play: Medium concentrations of red tide were found in samples from St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach and Dunedin Causeway, according to the county and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

• Low concentrations were also found off Pass-a-Grille, the Clearwater Intracoastal Waterway and Honeymoon Island.

Threat level: Red tide, also known as harmful algal blooms, can sicken or kill fish and animals, make seafood unsafe to eat and cause respiratory problems in people, particularly when the wind blows inland.

• Officials said they're especially concerned now for those cleaning out flooded homes or businesses after the storm.
• Per FWC, it's unclear if the red tide in Pinellas is linked to Helene.

What to do: If you see groups of dead fish, you can file a report through the FWC Reporter app, online or by calling 800-636-0511.

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The City of St. Petersburg launched the "We Are St. Pete Fund" in partnership with the Pinellas Community Foundation to raise funds for St. Pete residents and small businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Zoom in: The city kicked off the effort with a $200,000 contribution — half of which will cover administrative costs associated with the fund to ensure that the rest of the donations can go directly to those impacted.

• The Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete, the Tampa Bay Rays, and St. Pete residents Trevor Burgess and Gary Hess already pledged $100,000 each.

You can donate here.

• Looking for other ways to help? We've rounded up a few.

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Uber partners with transit agencies to improve access to public transportation, including in Florida.

How it's done: Brightline and Uber Transit began a shared mobility partnership that helps tackle the crucial first-mile/last-mile challenge.

Discover the perks of Vouchers API.

🐶 Hillsborough County's pet resource center is overcrowded, with 100 more dogs and 50 more cats than it can hold. If voters approve a half-cent tax, the county plans to purchase a larger building. (Tampa Bay Times)

🪧 Dockworkers in Tampa are part of the nationwide strike after negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance stalled. (Bay News 9)

💨 Florida's Amendment 3, which aims to legalize recreational cannabis, would not result in a monopoly for marijuana companies, contrary to the claims made by those who oppose the amendment. (PolitiFact)

👻 Visit Dade City's Scream-A-Geddon: The park offers six haunted houses, with the option of an interactive experience that allows its performers to pull you back or send you into a hidden room.

• 27839 Saint Joe Rd. Tickets start at $29.95.

🍺 Grab a pint at Oktoberfest: It might not be Tampa Bay's largest beer-filled celebration, but organizers claim it's the region's most authentic, with traditional German food, dancing and music to boot.

• The event will take place from 5-10pm Friday and 12-10 pm Saturday at 8098 66 St N, Pinellas Park. Tickets cost $10.

🎃 Paint pumpkins at Carrollwood Village's Fall Fest: This event is free, family-friendly, and chock-full of fall fun, with live music, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more.

• It runs from 10am to 5pm Saturday at 4537 Lowell Rd.

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Get up to date: Brightline and Uber Transit's new shared mobility partnership helps tackle Florida's first-mile/last-mile challenges.

With Vouchers API, riders can get to and from Brightline stations with ease and more control over their trip experience.

See how the program works.

🍅 Kathryn is nursing a sunburn.

🎺 Yacob is celebrating Yom Teruah.

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.