"They called for help, and we couldn't help," Pinellas County sheriff says as he reports 5 fatalities

 Pinellas County is reporting five storm-related fatalities Friday morning, two in Treasure Island, two in Indian Rocks Beach, and one in Dunedin, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

“Not everybody evacuated, and unfortunately, they called for help, and we couldn’t help a lot of the people who called as those conditions got very bad last night, and it was inaccessible,” Gualtieri said.

“We tried to launch boats, we tried to use high water vehicles, and we just got with too many obstacles, and we couldn’t get out there and effect some of those rescues,” he added.

First responders continue going door-to-door Friday morning to locations where calls for help originated, the sheriff said, adding, “I have no idea whether that death toll will increase, but it’s possible.”

For at least two of the deaths, “it’s clear it’s a drowning,” Gualtieri said, while the others are still under investigation, but all are considered storm related fatalities.

“It’s hard, but we will continue to recover as a community, and we will do everything in our power to continue restoration efforts for our residents,” Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins said, holding back tears.