Bruce Shear, the owner of Annie’s Bait & Tackle, discovered his ice machine had been displaced across the street from his business after Hurricane Helene swept through Cortez Village on Friday. Along with many other residents and business owners in Manatee County, Shear is part of a massive cleanup effort, facing significant damage to both his shop, which has served the community since 1955, and his home, which he estimates was inundated with around five feet of water.
“It was a big storm, that’s all it was,” Shear remarked. He noted that the flooding was extensive, impacting everything, and emphasized that his home’s damage, which included about three feet of water, was his primary concern.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, Manatee County’s emergency services reported receiving over 1,000 calls to 911 and responding to 400 service calls on Friday morning. First responders managed to rescue and evacuate more than 300 individuals from areas such as Anna Maria Island and Palmetto. Additionally, the county’s 311 information hotline has fielded over 4,200 calls since the hurricane hit.
Anna Maria Island sustained considerable damage, leading authorities to potentially keep it closed to non-residents through the weekend. Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn indicated that the coast experienced unprecedented storm surges between five and seven feet, severely impacting the beaches and roadways.
“Gulf Drive is closed and impassable,” Rahn reported, adding that a curfew is in effect from sunset to sunrise on the islands. Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge noted that nearly all ground-level homes and businesses on Anna Maria Island were flooded and that the road was covered in several feet of sand.
“There were waves rolling across Gulf Drive, leaving tons of sand on the road,” Van Ostenbridge explained. He mentioned that thousands of homes have flooded, and the damage extends countywide, with close to 100% of residential structures on the island experiencing water intrusion.
Kristen Mazzarella, the director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, highlighted the impact on local wildlife, noting that a recent record number of turtle nests have suffered losses due to Hurricane Debby and now Helene. She pointed out that only a few nests remained after the first storm, with most likely destroyed by the latest hurricane.
The City of Bradenton reported contamination of the drinking water supply due to storm surge, but the water remains safe for consumption. Mayor Gene Brown confirmed that while the water might have an unusual taste or smell, it is still safe to drink, although residents are encouraged to conserve water until repairs are finalized.
Authorities also urged residents to exercise caution as they navigate cleanup efforts. Many people are returning to their homes amidst flooding, but officials stressed that the risks of injury increase post-storm due to hidden hazards in the debris-filled environment.
City of Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy expressed his readiness for residents to return, noting that the return journey would inevitably reveal extensive damage. He warned that the island’s roads have suffered significant sand deposits and erosion, advising residents to mentally prepare for the stark changes that await them upon their return.