St. Petersburg shuts down sewer facility as Hurricane Helene brings storm surge risks

St. Petersburg officials have shut down the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility due to Hurricane Helene's expected storm surge. This decision affects residents north of 30th Avenue North and east of Interstate 275, who cannot use showers, laundry, or toilets for at least 48 hours. The facility, which serves 25% of the city's population, cannot withstand storm surges above 7 feet. Officials cited corrosion risks from saltwater as a major concern. Tap water remains available, but residents are advised to avoid using drains. The city is currently upgrading the facility with a $50 million investment aimed at improving its resilience against future storms. The last shutdown occurred in 1985 during Hurricane Elena.