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.

Hurricane Milton comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated much of the barrier islands with powerful storm surge.

Hurricane Helene damage in Florida as a Category 4 brought storm surge, flooding from Steinhatchee to Cedar Key. How bad will Hurricane Milton be?

October 05, 2024 On October 5, 2024, @ErnieVanderwalt shared a video from Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA, showing the area after Hurricane Helene and before Hurricane Milton. The video was captioned,

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Director Kristen Mazzarella told the Herald-Tribune that wildlife on the island also suffered losses. She said that a record-setting number of sea turtle nests laid on AMI this year has been devastated, first by Hurricane Debby and finished off by Helene.

After hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast, Helene tore through the Southeast, unleashing historic rain and flooding in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas and leaving dozens of people dead and millions without power. Helene’s trail of destruction and record-breaking floods could rank among the costliest storms in U.S. history.

Anna Maria Island took the brunt of the damage in Manatee County, and WFLA News Channel 8 got a look at the damage on Holmes Beach with a ride along with the chief of police.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed topics related to vacation rentals, and other matters of local importance, during a visit to Anna Maria Island.