Bruce Shear, the owner of Annie’s Bait & Tackle in Cortez Village, discovered his ice machine across the street from his shop on Friday as residents throughout Manatee County began the recovery process after Hurricane Helene. Shear’s bait shop, which has been a fixture in the community since 1955 and under his ownership for 29 years, experienced severe flooding, with estimates indicating that around five feet of water affected both the business and his nearby home.
“It was a big storm, that’s all it was,” Shear commented. “It flooded everything. (Expletive) happens. We’ll start on this tomorrow. My house took about three feet of water – that’s more important.”
Manatee County officials reported that emergency services received over 1,000 calls to 911 and responded to approximately 400 service requests Friday morning. First responders conducted rescues and evacuations for more than 300 residents and tourists in areas including Anna Maria Island, Palmetto, and other unincorporated parts of Manatee County. Since the start of the hurricane, the county’s 311 information hotline has fielded 4,200 calls.
Anna Maria Island sustained significant damage and could remain closed to non-residents through the weekend, according to local authorities. “The beaches have been dramatically affected by unprecedented storm surge from 5 to 7 feet along the coast,” stated Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn.
“Gulf Drive is closed, it’s impassable,” he added, emphasizing that access to the islands is restricted to residents only. A curfew from sunset to sunrise has also been implemented.
District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge reported that nearly every ground-level home and business on the island was flooded, with significant sand deposits now covering Gulf Drive due to high waves. Florida Department of Transportation crews are currently working to clear the roads.
“There are thousands of homes affected with water damage, with many cars ruined by stormwater. Nearly all residential structures on Anna Maria Island have experienced flooding at ground level,” he noted.
Kristen Mazzarella, Director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, highlighted the impact on local wildlife, revealing that a record number of sea turtle nests have been devastated by the storms. After losing about 200 nests to Hurricane Debby, only eight remained before Hurricane Helene hit, which Mazzarella believes are now likely gone.
“The end of the season isn’t great,” she remarked.
In Bradenton, the city reported that storm surge tainted the drinking water supply with saltwater, though officials confirmed it remains safe for consumption. Mayor Gene Brown reassured residents that while the water might have an unusual taste or smell, it is safe to drink, and the city is requesting conservation efforts during the cleanup period.
“One of the things we are going to ask you to do is conserve water,” he advised. “We will know in the next 24 to 48 hours how long this will take, but the water is safe to drink.”
Brown added that the city had no need to release sewage during Hurricane Helene, unlike Hurricane Debby, which resulted in the discharge of nearly 80 million gallons of sewage.
As residents cautiously navigated the flooded streets to reach their homes, officials warned of potential dangers during cleanup efforts. “Most injuries and casualties happen after the storm,” said Emergency Management Chief Matt Meyers, urging people to avoid flooded waters and be cautious of debris.
Anna Maria City Mayor Dan Murphy expressed readiness for residents to return once the bridges to Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are reopened, but cautioned them to prepare for significant changes. “It’s not going to be the same as what you left,” he warned. “Brace yourself for a shock when you come back; this is the worst storm we’ve ever had.”