Jerry Waite dies in fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident
Jerry Waite dies in fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident
Fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident death of Jerry Waite – Obituary.
The community in Riviera Bay, St. Petersburg, is grieving the loss of Jerry Waite, an 89-year-old man who tragically died during Hurricane Helene. As the storm swept through Pinellas County, Waite was among the twelve victims claimed by the disaster.
Close family friend Tammie Lockwood expressed her heartbreak over Waite’s passing, recalling the moments when she and others frantically searched for him in the aftermath of the storm. “As soon as we opened the door and saw the mess, I knew it wasn’t very good. We tried to find him, hoping maybe a neighbor had evacuated him,” Lockwood shared. She mentioned that his dog was found nearby, which reassured her that he would never have left without his beloved pet.
Waite was discovered in his garage, where investigators reported he drowned due to storm surge flooding. Lockwood believes he was attempting to turn off the power, as he had told her he would do if water ever entered his home. Despite the urging of friends and neighbors to evacuate, Waite remained, thinking that previous storms had posed no significant threat.
Witnesses recounted a neighbor trying to check on him around midnight, but the door was locked, leading to confusion about whether Waite had left the premises. In the wake of the storm, Jerry’s favorite chair remained empty on the curb, a poignant reminder of his absence.
Lockwood noted that Waite had always evacuated during past storms, and this time, he believed the outcome would be the same. Unfortunately, many of the victims of Hurricane Helene were elderly individuals, highlighting the vulnerability of senior citizens during such emergencies.
Elli Baldwin, who assists seniors affected by the storm, remarked on the difficulties many elderly residents face when evacuating and the importance of community outreach. “We need to bridge the gap as a community and understand that some resources that we take for granted aren’t accessible to older generations,” Baldwin stated.
As Jerry Waite’s community reflects on his life, Lockwood emphasized the care he received from neighbors and his generous spirit, recalling how he would often give ice cream to children in the neighborhood. Despite having lost his wife earlier this year, Waite was well-loved and will be deeply missed.
Jerry Waite dies in fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident Fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident death of Jerry Waite – Obituary. The community in Riviera Bay, St. Petersburg, is grieving the loss of Jerry Waite, an 89-year-old man who tragically died during Hurricane Helene. As the storm swept through Pinellas County, Waite was among…
Jerry Waite dies in fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident Fatal St. Petersburg Hurricane Helene incident death of Jerry Waite – Obituary. The community in Riviera Bay, St. Petersburg, is grieving the loss of Jerry Waite, an 89-year-old man who tragically died during Hurricane Helene. As the storm swept through Pinellas County, Waite was among…