Take a look at the damage to this ‘old Florida’ beach, colorful cottages toppled
By Tiffany Tompkins ,
Ryan Ballogg and
Milena Malaver
Hurricane Milton heavily damaged homes on Bradenton Beach, Florida, 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 firsthand from Hurricane Milton as they were allowed back on their beloved Gulf island community Friday morning.
Longboat Key Bridge, which links Bradenton Beach with Longboat Key, reopened Friday afternoon.
Traffic from Longboat Key comes northbound over the Longboat Key drawbridge to Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Anna Maria Island, a popular vacation spot known for its pristine beaches, cafes and gorgeous sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico, remained closed Friday. Local police said they expect Anna Maria to open on Saturday.
Holmes Beach, just north of Bradenton Beach, also remained closed Friday.
A checkpoint at the entrance to Holmes Beach stops those trying to enter the town from Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton Beach opened only to homeowners, business owners, insurance company employees and city workers, Bradenton Beach Police said Friday.
Take a look at the damage done to Bradenton Beach and other parts of Manatee County:
A smiley statue on 13th Street South on Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida, after Hurricane Milton 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 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. 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. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Florida Dept. of Emergency Management 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
Long lines for food, gas
A line of cars formed for the Wawa at 2409 Cortez Road West in Manatee County 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 line of cars formed toward the Wawa at 2409 Cortez Road West in Manatee County, Florida, 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
Trees down, debris up
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
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
Fishing village slammed
Cortez Village, a fishing village in Manatee County, had widespread debris and damage after Hurricane Milton on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Cortez Bridge to Anna Maria Island is only open for emergency responders after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Historic Black community hit hard
Wreckage from homes devastated by hurricanes Helene and Milton lines the streets in the Rubonia community in Manatee County. 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. 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. Ryan Ballogg rballogg@bradenton.com
Piece of ‘Old Florida’ gone
County commissioner George Kruse posted a split image of Anna Maria Island’s iconic Rod and Reel Pier restaurant from post-Hurricane Helene to Hurricane Milton wiping out what was left on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Screenshot Facebook @GeorgeKruseForManateeCommission
Rod and Reel Pier, damaged by Hurricane Helene, is roped off as Hurricane Milton approaches Manatee County on Oct. 8, 2024. The landmark restaurant didn’t survive after Milton. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
