Saturday live updates: Helene death toll rises, communities recover

The Tampa Bay death toll from Hurricane Helene rose to at least 10 on Saturday, with eight Pinellas deaths and two in Hillsborough.

Residents on barrier islands continued to be evacuated while water service was restored in some places.

Meanwhile, donations flooded in and helpers emerged.

11:20 a.m.: Glazer family donates $1 million to relief

A day after Lightning owner Jeff Vinik announced that the Lightning Foundation would be donating $2 million toward relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Buccaneers also pledged support.

The Glazer family, which owns the NFL team, plans to donate $1 million to nonprofits aiding victims of the “devastating” storm surge.

“We offer our full support to those who have been impacted and are extremely thankful for the heroic and brave efforts of the many first responders and utility workers who have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our community during this difficult time,” Bucs co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said in a statement from the team. Read more here.

— Rick Stroud

9:15 a.m.: Local death toll rises to 10

The Pinellas County death toll from Hurricane Helene is up to eight as of Saturday morning, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in an interview Saturday. Several drowned, and one died when going back into a mobile home in Dunedin to retrieve keys. In Hillsborough, the death count stood at two Saturday. Read more here.

— Divya Kumar

6 a.m.: Forecasters nailed Helene’s track

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center seemed to know with remarkable precision where the storm was destined to hit — and how hard a punch it would pack. Here’s why.

— Kirby Wilson

11 p.m. Friday: Courtney Campbell bridge reopens

Tampa Bay’s main connector bridges were all open Saturday morning.

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— Shauna Muckle