Harrowing Video Shows Drivers Crossing Tampa Bridge During Helene

 

A harrowing video shared by authorities Thursday captured the moment several drivers crossing a Tampa bridge found themselves caught in Hurricane Helene's wrath.

The Florida Highway Patrol footage of the Howard Frankland Bridge showed dangerous storm surge lapping over the road's shoulder and Helene's high winds rattled the camera.

Helene made landfall near the mouth of Florida's Aucilla River with maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 mph. The location was only about 20 miles northwest of where Hurricane Idalia came ashore last year at nearly the same ferocity and caused widespread damage.

Helene had weakened to a tropical depression over the Carolinas with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph by early afternoon Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.

Several bridges crossing Tampa Bay were closed during the worst of the storm, according to authorities. The Howard Frankland Bridge fully reopened Friday afternoon after northbound lanes were closed for nearly 24 hours.

By 3:30 p.m., the westbound lanes and the inside eastbound lane of the Gandy Bridge had reopened. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge fully reopened around 1 p.m. Friday.

The Courtney Campbell Causeway remains closed, state police said.