CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is finally reopening Monday, Oct. 21, after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene.

What You Need To Know

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium reopen Oct. 21 after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene

  • CMA lost power for several days and flooded with four feet of storm surge

  • Zoo Tampa and Florida Aquarium assisted with animal relocation before, during and after the storm

  • CMA credits community partners and donors with its reopening, but says they need more monetary help to continue repairs and equipment replacement 

Four feet of storm surge flooded the aquarium, damaging essential equipment for its animal rehab programs, as well as damaging lower level public areas of the aquarium.

Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa assisted with animal relocation during the shutdown.

CMA Vice President of Zoological Care Kelly Martin said community partners and donors helped with monetary donations to get the aquarium reopened, but they need more financial help to continue repairs and equipment replacement.

“There’s so many ways you can contribute,” Martin said. “Help support our mission of rescue, rehab and release. Help us recover back to bigger, badder, stronger than we were before. You can contribute online at cmaquarium.org. You can go ahead and call us at 727-441-1790 and let us know how you can help.”

CMA said it used a ride-out team during Hurricane Helene that helped monitor conditions and shore up and emergency issues during the storm.

The ride out team is being credited with how quickly CMA reopened after losing power and essential equipment for several days.