Hurricane

Scenes from Hurricane Helene: Flooding, damage and piles of sand on Anna Maria Island

By Ryan Ballogg and Ryan Callihan

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Hurricane Helene 2024

Hurricane Helene is projected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and possible floods to Manatee County and Florida’s Big Bend region. Forecasts, as of September 25, project Helene will strike Florida Thursday evening, September 26, and head north through parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina into Friday.

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Bradenton Beach

Parts of Anna Maria Island may never look the same after Hurricane Helene brought new levels of destruction to Manatee County’s barrier island.

Even though the Category 4 storm did not make landfall in Manatee County, the storm’s high winds and record-setting storm surge demolished homes, roads and businesses throughout the popular tourist attraction.

In a Saturday afternoon press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Transportation has hired crews to install a temporary road to replace Gulf Drive over the next several days, but he hinted that the full road to recovery will take time — and toughness.

“It’s going to take a lot of grit. it’s going to take a lot of determination. It’s going to require resiliency. It’s not easy, but it will (come back),” DeSantis said. “This is just too nice an area not to.”

Take a look at photos of the wreckage.

Hurricane Helene destroyed several homes on Anna Maria Island after battery Manatee County as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene destroyed several homes on Anna Maria Island after battery Manatee County as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene ripped parts of Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island into pieces as the Category 4 stormed past Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene ripped parts of Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island into pieces as the Category 4 stormed past Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Several Manatee County lifeguard towers were damaged or toppled by Hurricane Helene as the Category 4 hurricane battered Anna Maria Island.
Several Manatee County lifeguard towers were damaged or toppled by Hurricane Helene as the Category 4 hurricane battered Anna Maria Island. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge tore through homes on Anna Maria Island, crushing furniture, smashing windows and leaving up to 5 feet of sand along the roadway.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge tore through homes on Anna Maria Island, crushing furniture, smashing windows and leaving up to 5 feet of sand along the roadway. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Up to 5 feet of sand covers Gulf Drive after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
Up to 5 feet of sand covers Gulf Drive after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
A beach access entry at Cortez Beach sustained damage after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
A beach access entry at Cortez Beach sustained damage after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Bulldozers cleared feet of sand from Gulf Drive on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a powerful Category 4 storm.
Bulldozers cleared feet of sand from Gulf Drive on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a powerful Category 4 storm. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island after the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island after the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Callihan rcallihan@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flattened sand dunes and damaged lifeguard towers on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flattened sand dunes and damaged lifeguard towers on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene damaged beach access entrances on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene damaged beach access entrances on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Up to 5 feet of sand covered Gulf Drive on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
Up to 5 feet of sand covered Gulf Drive on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, after Hurricane Helene battered Anna Maria Island as a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooding ruined homes on Anna Maria Island as the powerful Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Hurricane Helene piled feet of sand in the parking lot of the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island as the Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene piled feet of sand in the parking lot of the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island as the Category 4 storm passed Manatee County in the Gulf of Mexico. Ryan Callihan rcallihan@bradenton.com

This story was originally published September 29, 2024 at 5:50 AM.

RB
Ryan Ballogg
Bradenton Herald
941-745-7024
Ryan Ballogg is a local news and environment reporter and features writer at the Bradenton Herald. His work has received awards from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Club. Ryan is a Florida native and graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription
Profile Image of Ryan Callihan
Ryan Callihan
Bradenton Herald
941-745-7095
Ryan Callihan is the Bradenton Herald’s Senior Editor. As a reporter in Manatee County, he won awards for his local government and environmental coverage. Ryan is a graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription
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Hurricane Helene 2024

Hurricane Helene is projected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and possible floods to Manatee County and Florida’s Big Bend region. Forecasts, as of September 25, project Helene will strike Florida Thursday evening, September 26, and head north through parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina into Friday.

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