Years of multi-million-dollar beach renourisment projects armed Brevard's beaches against Helene's onslaught. Chief among those was a $47.6 million project early this year that began restoring beach and dunes along 11.5 miles from Pineda Causeway to South Spessard Holland Park, shores eroded by Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole in 2022.

To those who live on the narrow spit of land that is the Pass-a-Grille neighborhood — the tail end of barrier islands extending from St. Pete Beach up to Clearwater known as “The Key West of Tampa Bay beaches” — it’s a slice of paradise developed at the turn of the century and historically sheltered from major storms.

Ten dogs, including a pregnant one, seven puppies and four kittens were transported to Brevard prior to Helene hitting Florida. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Perry, Florida on Thursday night.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday. Here's how the powerful story could impact the college football schedule in Week 5.

Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane about 11:10 p.m. ET near Perry, Florida, with 140 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center reported. At least 22 fatalities have been blamed on the hurricane so far,

LATEST: Hurricane Helene has traveled north from Florida to Georgia and was about 100 miles from Augusta and 40 miles from Macon moving at about 30 mph, the hurricane center in Miami said in a 4 a.m.