In their preliminary assessment, state officials said about 95% of the beachside city was destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — One week later, we get a bigger glimpse at the vast damage to the city of Bradenton Beach caused by Hurricane Helene.
Work crews have continued to move into the area not only to push sand out of the roadways and homes but also to remove fallen palm trees. They have also started moving structures blown away as others remain perched perniciously on their foundations and barely standing.
The entire Anna Maria Island is just under 9 miles long from north to south and about 2 miles wide going from east to west. Local officials said the nearly 6-foot storm surge washed over the entire island and ruined Bradenton Beach as well as Holmes Beach and the city of Anna Maria.
“To imagine that this incredible paradise is …