PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Exactly one year after Hurricane Helene took the lives of 12 people in Pinellas County and damaged thousands of homes and businesses with floodwater and sand, the beach communities are slowly coming back.

Some of the hardest hit cities include St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Maderia Beach and Gulfport.

What You Need To Know • Treasure Island has issued 370+ demolition permits • Four major St. Pete Beach hotels have been closed for 1 year • Saltwater Hippie in Maderia Beach recieves building permit after 374 days • Gulfport Casino remains closed

In St. Pete Beach, four major resort hotels on Gulf Boulevard have yet to reopen . The Beachcomber and Postcard Inn expect to reopen by the end of the year, while the Bellwether and Dolphin resorts hope to reopen

See Full Page