CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Helene left its mark on Clearwater Beach, which has reopened to residents and business owners.
Popular destinations like Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, the Palm Pavillion, and all down the beach are closed as workers clear the debris and sand.
Frenchy’s posted on Facebook that all their locations had significant flooding due to storm surge and most are without power.
“We prepared as best as we could, but unfortunately, we will need to replace floors, walls, equipment, etc. in the majority of our buildings. In addition to our businesses having physical damage, many of our employees are now finding themselves without homes and/or jobs. We’re doing our best to help with clean up and providing work, but nothing we do can truly replace everything they’ve lost. “
Excavators and other crews have been working nonstop clearing thick layers of sand packed on sidewalks and streets.
While Clearwater Beach will reopen to visitors on Tuesday, Mayor Bruce Rector is asking people to give the community time.
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“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. and we’d ask people to be respectful of letting the beach community recover,” said Mayor Bruce Rector.
Many of the homes and businesses have to be gutted.
“I’ve been here 45 years and never seen anything close to this,” said Clearwater Beach resident Larry Wilson. “It won’t get back for years. I mean, Clearwater beach won’t be the same for quite a while, beautiful Clearwater.”
“You look around and it’s like where do we even start,” said Matt Steiner, who returned to work on Clearwater Beach with a much different job for the day.
“We’re going to be shoveling sand. The text said punch in at nine and grab a shovel,” said Steiner.
“The recovery process long is going to take a significant amount of time. The infrastructure has taken a tremendous hit,” said Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy.
