IMAGES: Bilmar Beach Resort Welcomes Guests Again Almost a Year Post-Hurricane Helene

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) – Exactly a year after Hurricane Helene submerged parts of Treasure Island, the Bilmar Beach Resort is once again open, marking a significant moment for both visitors and staff.

“It’s been quite a journey these past 12 months,” noted General Manager Clyde Smith. “Just yesterday marked the anniversary of Helene, which left us dealing with over five feet of water.”

The resort released before-and-after photographs that highlight the extensive damage inflicted by the Category 4 hurricane when it hit on September 26, 2024. The lobby, offices, 33 guest rooms, elevators, and several other areas were severely impacted by the storm surge.

“Our lobby is a new, coastal, very casual look,” Smith said. “And our guests have just loved it since coming back here.”

The resort’s eatery, Sloppy Joe’s, was less affected compared to the rest of the facility. While the main kitchen underwent repair, the staff relied heavily on the restaurant’s kitchen to maintain operations.

Second-time guest David Paul said the recovery is proof of Florida’s resilience.

“I knew time heals all wounds, and the Florida people are very viral,” he said. “They are strong, they rebuild, they keep on coming back.”

As hurricane season continues, Smith said the team is staying cautious and hopeful.

“We really hope to see a season pass by without damage,” he expressed. “It was quite a storm. The whole Tampa Bay area has been quite lucky, and we hope that continues.”

Throughout the recovery period, the resort also played a crucial role in the community, providing accommodation for FEMA guests and emergency personnel, according to Smith.

“We were able to house our guests on the second floor and above for five months,” he said. “We were fully FEMA housing. So, with the exception of that, as we did house first responders on our second floor for about a month, we took care of not just our local fire department, but some visiting fire departments that were helping us from around the state. And other than that, we had guests in until about mid-February. And mid-February, we transitioned from FEMA into our traditional short-term stays and our spring break stays. And that’s pretty much when the FEMA program ended.”

Resort management said the main kitchen renovation is nearly complete and is expected to be finished in the next two weeks.