Students return to Anna Maria Elementary School after Hurricanes Helene, Milton [Video]

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. – Two months after Hurricane Helene forced students and staff at Anna Maria Elementary School to relocate, they are being welcomed home on Monday.

“Since Monday, September 30, 2024 – in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene – the students and staff of Anna Maria Elementary have been attending school at Stewart Elementary, the closest school to the island located on the mainland in Manatee County,” the School District of Manatee County said in a news release.

“The storm surge from Helene severely impacted much of Anna Maria Island and left residents and businesses without power for a considerable amount of time. Access to the island since Helene has been restricted as recovery efforts have been ongoing. Thankfully, most of the school was not damaged.”

In a weekend Facebook post, Anna Maria Elementary School published a photo showing staff “at school today preparing for our 3rd and hopefully last first day of school.”

Dr. Katie …