Hurricane Helene’s surge smashes records for high water levels in Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Helene inundated Tampa Bay with several feet of storm surge on its way to making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Preliminary data indicates the surge smashed records for average high water levels across Tampa Bay.

The East Bay measuring station on Hillsborough Bay measured 7.20 feet, well surpassing the previous record of 3.69 feet that was set in 2023 by Hurricane Idalia.

Preliminary measurements show some Tampa Bay cities experienced hurricane force wind gusts.

The highest gust was reported at the St. Pete airport at 82 mph. Clearwater and the Sarasota-Bradenton airport also saw hurricane force wind gusts.

Wind gusts reached 67 mph in the city of Tampa.

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