Red Tide Found In Pinellas County Waters: County Officials

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, local officials and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are monitoring low to medium concentrations of red tide in Pinellas County water samples.

Low concentrations were found off Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach, the Clearwater Intracoastal Waterway and Honeymoon Island in Dunedin, according to a county news release
Medium concentrations of red tide were found off St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach and Dunedin Causeway.

Residents along the beach communities, especially those cleaning out their homes and businesses from Hurricane Helene, may experience respiratory irritation when concentrations are higher, especially when the wind is blowing onshore, the county said.

It’s not sure whether the hurricane is linked to the red tide.

Residents can report fish kills to FWC through the FWC Reporter app, by calling 800-636-0511 or by submitting a report online. Those who find dead fish near their boat dock can retrieve them with a skimmer and dispose of them with their regular trash.

Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches program also routinely monitors water quality at beaches. Find the latest sampling data online here.