Hurricane

Take a look at how Bradenton Beach and other parts of Manatee fared after Milton

By Tiffany Tompkins , Ryan Ballogg and Milena Malaver
Hurricane Milton heavily damaged homes on Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Fl., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Anna Maria Island was still closed to the public on Friday and was scheduled to reopen Saturday.
Hurricane Milton heavily damaged homes on Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Fl., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Anna Maria Island was still closed to the public on Friday and was scheduled to reopen Saturday. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

Bradenton Beach residents got to see the damage from Hurricane Milton firsthand as they were allowed back on their beloved Gulf island Friday morning.

Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, homeowners, business owners, insurance company employees and city workers were allowed on Bradenton Beach, Bradenton Beach Police said, although Holmes Beach was still blocked off on Friday afternoon and Anna Maria Island wasn’t scheduled to reopen until Saturday, police said.

READ MORE: Live Updates: Bradenton Beach reopens for residents after Hurricane Milton

Here’s some of the damage that Milton wrecked on Bradenton Beach and other parts of Manatee County:

Beachfront hit hard

A smiley statue on 13th Street South on Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024.
A smiley statue on 13th Street South on Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Tower 4 on Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024.
Tower 4 on Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
A sailboat drifted into the South Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024.
A sailboat drifted into the South Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
A home on the Intracoastal Waterway sits open to the elements in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island, Oct. 11, 2024.
A home on the Intracoastal Waterway sits open to the elements in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island, Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

DeSantis and his team visit

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop in Bradenton Beach to update the response to Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Anna Maria Island was still closed to the public on Friday while Bradenton Beach reopened.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop in Bradenton Beach to update the response to Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Anna Maria Island was still closed to the public on Friday while Bradenton Beach reopened. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Florida Dept. of Emergency Mgmt. Director Kevin Guthrie accompanied Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he made a stop in Bradenton Beach to update the response to Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024.
Florida Dept. of Emergency Mgmt. Director Kevin Guthrie accompanied Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he made a stop in Bradenton Beach to update the response to Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

The lines are long for gas, food

A line of cars formed down the road for the Wawa at 2409 Cortez Road West after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Only two pumps seemed to be in use as deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office tried to keep motorists in line.
A line of cars formed down the road for the Wawa at 2409 Cortez Road West after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Only two pumps seemed to be in use as deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office tried to keep motorists in line. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
A motorist ran out gas in front of the Wawa at 2509 Cortez Road where lines were forming after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024.
A motorist ran out gas in front of the Wawa at 2509 Cortez Road where lines were forming after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Traffic from Longboat Key comes northbound over the Longboat Key drawbridge to Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The Longboat Key bridge reopened Friday.
Traffic from Longboat Key comes northbound over the Longboat Key drawbridge to Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The Longboat Key bridge reopened Friday. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

Trees down, debris up

A member of a tree removal team works on cutting up a huge oak that fell in the 300 block of 24th Street West in Bradenton after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024.
A member of a tree removal team works on cutting up a huge oak that fell in the 300 block of 24th Street West in Bradenton after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Two large palms fell into a home in the 200 block of 24th Street East in Bradenton after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024.
Two large palms fell into a home in the 200 block of 24th Street East in Bradenton after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Debris piled high in front of the Sandpiper Resort in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024.
Debris piled high in front of the Sandpiper Resort in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

Historically Black community hit hard

Debris piles up in Rubonia, the historically Black community in Manatee County along Terra Ceia Bay, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
Debris piles up in Rubonia, the historically Black community in Manatee County along Terra Ceia Bay, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Webster Hayes says his home in Rubonia is in a state of “total destruction” after two hurricanes. Hurricane Helene flooded it with 4 feet of water and Hurricane Milton stripped away part of the roof.
Webster Hayes says his home in Rubonia is in a state of “total destruction” after two hurricanes. Hurricane Helene flooded it with 4 feet of water and Hurricane Milton stripped away part of the roof. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Tarp stretches over a chunk of roof that Hurricane Milton ripped off of Webster Hayes’ home in Rubonia, casting a blue glow over the wreckage.
Tarp stretches over a chunk of roof that Hurricane Milton ripped off of Webster Hayes’ home in Rubonia, casting a blue glow over the wreckage. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Jerry Putnam, a Rubonia resident of 20 years, prepared to go stay with friends after Hurricane Milton left his home damaged and without power. Hurricane Helene flooded his home two weeks before. Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
Jerry Putnam, a Rubonia resident of 20 years, prepared to go stay with friends after Hurricane Milton left his home damaged and without power. Hurricane Helene flooded his home two weeks before. Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Ryan Ballogg

This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 3:07 PM.

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Milena Malaver
Miami Herald
786-505-8434
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.
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