‘Unbelievable Encounter’: Florida Couple Relives Moment Water Burst into Their Home Amid Hurricane Helene

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Residents of Venetian Isles, particularly KT and George Oliveira, are facing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene with resilience. The couple, along with their children and dogs, evacuated as the storm approached, a decision they are grateful for in hindsight.

They watched from a distance as waves violently crashed through their glass door, immersing their home in water. “When you watch it on the video, it almost seems surreal,” KT Oliveira reflected. The chaos struck before 10 p.m., obscuring their view of the damage and leaving them anxious about what awaited them upon their return.

Daytime video captured the grim reality—the waves had already breached the home, with more destruction looming. As water surged indoors, sparks ignited concerns about fire hazards, endangering nearby homes. “The items in our home had been pushed to the front door,” George Oliveira explained, as he surveyed the wreckage.

Lost possessions included cherished photographs and mementos, heightening the emotional toll of the storm. “Until it happens to you, you don’t really know,” George lamented. The couple’s home, transformed over the past four years, now lies in ruins, with much of their life reduced to debris.

Yet, amid this devastation, the Oliveiras find strength in community support. Neighbors and friends rallied quickly, assisting with cleanup efforts and remediation. “The thing that keeps us hopeful is just the love that surrounds us,” KT stated, underscoring their determination to persevere. “We will get through this. This too shall pass, just day by day.”

As of Thursday evening, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reported at least $835 million in insured losses from the hurricane, with over 84,000 claims filed. These figures are expected to rise. The impact of Hurricane Helene will be felt across neighborhoods, but stories of resilience continue to emerge.