Sarasota County suffers storm surge flooding in wake of Hurricane Helene…
Authorities say Anna Maria Island took the brunt of the damage in the county, and could potentially remain closed to non-residents through the weekend.
“The beaches have been dramatically affected by unprecedented storm surge from 5 to 7 feet along the coast,” said Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn.
HURRICANE
Live updates: Thousands are still without power as Sarasota-Manatee begins a long recovery
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Hurricane Helene reopened Midnight Pass.
Sarasota and Manatee counties will reopen schools.
Thousands are still without power in Manatee and Sarasota counties.When will your trash be pickedup?What happened to sea turtle nests?What is the status of each barrier island?
8:20 p.m.: “It’s not going to be the same as what you left.” Anna Maria Island devastated, Manatee County reports major damage
Authorities say Anna Maria Island took the brunt of the damage in the county, and could potentially remain closed to non-residents through the weekend.
“The beaches have been dramatically affected by unprecedented storm surge from 5 to 7 feet along the coast,” said Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn.
“Gulf Drive is closed, it’s unpassable,” he said. “The islands remain closed, so if you don’t live there and you are trying to get on the island they are not going to let you on. Also, there has been a sunset-to-sunrise curfew on the islands.”District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said nearly every ground-level home and business on AMI was flooded, and Gulf Drive is under feet of sand. Florida Department of Transportation crews are working to clear debris from the roads.
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