For Tampa Bay, Helene was the worst storm in a century
In living memory, plenty of major hurricanes have threatened this region before decimating other places, and plenty of unassuming tropical storms punched above their weight.
But for Tampa, St. Petersburg and every other waterfront community here, Hurricane Helene’s impact is unmatched since 1921.
To make that determination, the Tampa Bay Times analyzed historical storm data, surge readings, building footprints in flood zones and government accounts of damage and death.
Helene’s deadly cocktail — comprising ingredients that are each familiar to past Gulf storms — brewed record surge and historic damage. Even while the storm’s eye stayed 100 miles off shore.
Here’s how it happened.