Looking north from Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024.
Tiffany Tompkins
ttompkins@bradenton.com
A week after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge swept ashore and devastated Anna Maria Island, the popular Southwest Florida tourist destination is still digging out of the wreckage.
Signs of destruction are everywhere, from beaches depleted of their famous crystal white sand to ruined streets, landmarks, businesses and homes.
The island is swarming with activity as recovery crews, emergency workers and locals pitch into a team effort to piece Anna Maria Island back together again.
Aerial and street views of Anna Maria Island show how Hurricane Helene changed everything — and how much work remains to restore the Gulf Coast slice of paradise.
Take a look.
Anna Maria Island before and after Hurricane Helene
Anna Maria Island from above, before Helene:
Bradenton Beach on June 6, 2022. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Anna Maria Island from above, post-Helene:
Looking north from Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, before Helene:
Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island on Jan. 17, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, post-Helene:
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Heavy work trucks drive along Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Intracoastal looking east from Bradenton Beach, before Helene:
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Intracoastal looking east from Bradenton Beach, post-Helene:
The Intracoastal waterway in Bradenton Beach looking East, taken on June 3, 2022. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bridge Street, before Helene:
Bridge Street is a popular destination on Anna Maria Island shown in 2019. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bridge Street, post-Helene:
Work trucks and people along Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
More scenes of Bradenton Beach post-Helene:
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Tractors clean the sand on Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Belongings stacked in front of a flood-destroyed home in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helena on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Cortez Beach parking lot in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
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
