Wrong Organ Removed + City Hall Exorcism + Hurricanes: 2024 FL News

FLORIDA — The biggest news of the year for Florida was the slate of deadly storms that wreaked havoc on the state.

The first was Tropical Storm Debby in August, which brought historic flooding — especially in Sarasota County — heavy rains, gusty winds and reports of tornadoes to much of the peninsula.

This was followed by Helene, which made landfall Sept. 26 as a powerful category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 mph in Florida’s Big Bend area. It brought devastating storm surge and flash flooding to many communities, including the Pinellas County barrier island communities, where at least a dozen people died. Damaging winds took out power lines, and leveled homes and businesses.

After hitting the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene headed north, tearing through the Southeast. Hundreds died in the storm and many in western North Carolina are still unaccounted for.

Next, Milton ravaged Florida, which was still recovering from Helene, making landfall as a category 3 hurricane in Siesta Key, 70 miles south of Tampa. Hurricane Milton brought with it heavy rain, ferocious winds and several tornados.

Much of the state was severely impacted with more than 3.2 million homes and businesses losing power. In the Tampa Bay area, many people were without power for several days.

Here are some of the top Patch headlines covering this year’s historic tropical weather:

• 13 Dead From 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria After Hurricanes Helene, Milton
• FL Holiday Display Features 14-Foot Godzilla On Roof Damaged By Milton
• 18 Photos Show Milton's Devastation Across Florida
• Milton, A Dog That Survived 2 FL Hurricanes On The Streets, Needs Home
• Tropicana Field Roof Ripped Off In Hurricane Milton [PHOTOS]
• 18 Photos Show Milton's Devastation Across Florida
• Scenes Of Massive FL Flooding, Downed Trees, Wires
• Hurricane Survivors In FL, NC, Cuba Find Help Through Mutual Aid Group
• Teen Killed After Debby's FL Landfall, 500 Water Rescues In Sarasota
• 'Everyone Was Caught Off Guard': FL Woman Organizes Boat Rescues
• Pinellas Hurricane Death Toll Increases To 12, Victims' Names Released
• FL Dog Abandoned On I-75 During Hurricane Finds Permanent Home

Of course, there was more notable news in Florida in 2024 from an estate sale that featured items that belonged to the late actress Kirstie Alley to a popular waterfront restaurant chain fined for discriminatory hiring practices; a golfer beaten to death with his own clubs; as well as a patient dying after his surgeon removed the wrong organ.

Kirstie Alley Estate Sale In Clearwater Features Her Personal Items

A Clearwater estate sale held in May offered shoppers a chance to bring home personal items that once belonged to the late actress Kirstie Alley.

FL Golfer Beaten To Death With Own Clubs In 'Random Act Of Violence'

A naked man was arrested in November on a murder charge after beating a FL golfer with his own clubs and holding his head underwater, reports said.

FL Shooting Spree Blamed On Solar Eclipse, God: Troopers

In April, a Georgia woman said she went on a shooting spree in the Florida Panhandle because of God and the solar eclipse, troopers said.

Snake Riding On Gator 'Most FL Thing Ever': Report

A Florida man caught video of a snake hitching a ride on the back of a gator in the Everglades in August.

Patient Dies After FL Surgeon Removes Wrong Organ

A Florida surgeon removed a patient's liver instead of his spleen in August, causing his death, an attorney for his family said.

Here are some other headlines that resonated with Patch readers this year:

Missing Family's Bodies Found In Firepit Of Pasco Man's Home: Report

A Florida man reportedly told deputies in June that the bodies of a missing family of four, including two adults and two children, were in his firepit.

New St. Pete Roadside Attraction Educates People On The Multiverse

Two St. Petersburg residents have transformed their backyard into Multiverseland, an "intergalactic mini theme park" open to the public.

Teen 'Monster' Dead After Shooting, Killing Parents In Tampa

A deputy was injured in a June incident in which a Tampa teen killed his parents, then himself, the sheriff's office said.

New Clearwater-Area Trader Joe’s Grocery Store Sets Opening Date

The long awaited new Trader Joe's grocery store in Palm Harbor opened its doors to the public for the first time in December.

2 $4M Mega Millions Tickets Sold At FL Publix Stores Half Mile Apart

Two Publix stores only a half-mile apart in the Tampa Bay area each sold a $4 million-winning ticket in a June Mega Millions drawing, reports said.

St. Pete Pride Street Mural Targeted Within An Hour Of Repainting

Less than an hour after the community came together to repaint a defaced LGBTQ+ Pride street mural at the end of May in St. Petersburg, it was targeted again by vandals.

Woman Swims Around Siesta Key To Raise Funds For Veterans Services

The owner of Top Tier K9 Bradenton said the goal of her 37.5-mile swim around Siesta Key in June was to raise $250,000 to support SOF Missions.

Sylvester Stallone Is Moving To Florida

Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, bought a $35 million, 1.5-acre waterfront estate about three years ago in Palm Beach.

Which FL Cities Will Be Underwater By 2050?

A map from the Florida Climate Center shows which communities in the state could be underwater by 2050 because of sea level rise.

Allegiant Announces 7 New Routes From Florida Airports

Allegiant airline started flying nonstop to seven new destinations in Florida in November, including two airports in the Tampa Bay area.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar Fined For Hiring Discrimination

The Bradenton-based Anna Maria Oyster Bar "routinely discriminated against lawful permanent residents" applying for jobs, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Exorcism Targets FL’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws, Politicians, Says Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Reacting to Florida's slate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in recent years, the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence organized an exorcism of the state at St. Petersburg City Hall in April.

3 Injured In Shark Attacks At FL Beaches

"I made it," said a teenage girl who suffered bites that required surgery after three people were bitten in separate Florida shark attacks in June.