Twelve people in Pinellas County have died as a result of Hurricane Helene, officials said Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in Tampa Bay to at least 14.

Pinellas County has begun collecting residential storm debris, six days after Hurricane Helene rolled past the Tampa Bay area 100 miles off shore, causing unprecedented flooding and sending tropical-storm-force winds across much of the state.

The governor said he and state leaders will work to "cut red tape" and provide resources to county and local governments to aid in ongoing recovery.

Residents and business owners slogging through cleanup from Hurricane Helene on Pinellas County’s barrier islands now have another worry, according to county officials: red tide. The notorious algae could cause breathing problems for people already struggling to pick up waterlogged debris from moldy, ruined buildings.

Hurricane Helene's death toll in Pinellas County rose to 11 on Tuesday, just under a week after the storm left behind a trail of destruction on Florida's Gulf coast.

Pinellas County leaders discussed plans for debris removal at the commissioners’ emergency meeting on Tuesday. "The debris management is going to be key, and it's going to be a Herculean effort," Pinellas County administrator Barry Burton said.

Pinellas County’ elections supervisor is asking the state to grant her office greater flexibility in managing the upcoming elections as the county works to recover from the damage of Hurricane Helene.

Pinellas County officials say cleanup and recovery efforts will continue to take time in areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene.