How to clean your dirty swimming pool after hurricanes Milton and Helene

The rain and floodwaters from hurricanes Milton and Helene have caused problems in Tampa Bay homeowners’ backyard pool oases.

It may not be safe to swim in your pool after the storms because of the risk of bacteria and other contaminants, not to mention large amounts of debris.

If you have a pool at your home and are wondering how to get it back in shape, here are some key steps to take.

Don’t drain your pool

After a bad storm or flooding, the saturated ground can put “upward pressure on your pool shell,” according to Texas-based pool company Backyard Oasis.

Emptying a pool after...