SUMMARY: Homeowners are frustrated as county officials have halted the acceptance of storm debris from commercial haulers at the main dump site. CFO Katherine Lamon explained that this decision was made to ensure compliance with FEMA reimbursement requirements, which limit debris acceptance to the unincorporated area. Residents express concerns over inadequate preparation by the county and cities for post-storm cleanup, with many still needing assistance. The lack of clear direction for debris disposal has left hundreds struggling to manage the aftermath of the storm, adding to their suffering during this challenging time.

Florida County closes main dump to storm debris as trash piles up.

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SUMMARY: Hurricane Helen severely damaged two schools in Pinellas County, making them unfit for reopening. Students from Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 will resume classes today at different locations while repairs take place. Gulf Beaches Elementary will operate at Diston Academy, relocating its students, while Madeira Beach Fundamental will split into two campuses: younger students at Wallingham Elementary and middle schoolers at Oola Fundamental High School. Despite the challenges of modified schedules and changes, the district aims to maintain connections among friends and teachers until the schools are repaired, a process expected to take several months.

Pinellas County schools can’t reopen after Hurricane Helene

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SUMMARY: In today‘s CBS News Miami update, students returned to Flamingo Elementary after a gas leak prompted an evacuation, but no injuries were reported. Meteorologist Da Warren forecasts increased rain chances over the weekend due to a surge of moisture coming into South Florida. A tragic accident in Cooper City claimed the life of 23-year-old Caitlyn Heron while another passenger escaped. In international news, Israel successfully defended against an Iranian missile attack, with heightened tensions in the region. Meanwhile, a strike involving port workers could disrupt supplies. The aftermath of Hurricane Helen has resulted in over 160 fatalities and ongoing rescue efforts in affected states.

In today’s Quickcast:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation for Iran’s missile attack against Israel, saying Tehran would “pay for it.”

“The regime of Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves,” Netanyahu said in a statement delivered shortly after the attack, which came on the eve Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. “They will understand. We will stand by the rule we established: Whoever attacks, we will attack them.”

Iran launched at least 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel Tuesday evening, prompting alerts for people to take shelter across the country. The missiles were seen entering Israeli airspace from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said many of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, though some landed in southern and central Israel.

The U.S. helped Israel defend against Iran’s attack. In a statement late Tuesday night, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “U.S. forces in the Middle East intercepted multiple missiles launched by Iran toward Israel,” calling it an “outrageous act of aggression by Iran.”

About 45 minutes after the attack began, and after multiple waves of interceptions, people were given the all-clear to leave their shelters.

Rescue services in Israel said two people were wounded by shrapnel, though their wounds were not serious. Palestinian authorities in the West Bank said one Palestinian man was killed by a missile that landed in Jericho, though it wasn’t clear where the missile came from, The Associated Press reported.

Catch the Quickcast with Najahe Sherman weekdays at 4PM ET streaming on the CBS Miami app and CBSMiami.com
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