Our local communities have faced significant challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The aftermath of these consecutive hurricanes has left many residents grappling with extensive damage inflicted upon their homes and neighborhoods.

After being allowed back on Anna Maria Island, Rick Cloutier wasn’t sure where to start with his clean-up at his home on Saturday morning in Holmes Beach. His home was covered by debris from Milton, and the wind had delivered part of someone’s house into his yard. 

“At least Hurricane Milton removed the boat that Hurricane Helene left in my yard last week,” Cloutier said.

According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, Hurricane Helene caused 100% of ground-floor homes on Anna Maria Island to flood. The wreckage was evident across the island, with a jumble of waterlogged belongings filled with memories scattered throughout the streets.

For residents, it’s emotionally overwhelming to clean up after flooding. Local Holmes Beach resident Cathy Batz found it particularly difficult navigating the stress of post-storm clean-up. 

“The task of clearing out our home was physically demanding and emotionally taxing,” Batz said.  “ Our carpets and furniture were covered in wet sludge and the odor was just unbearable.  I felt like we were in a race against time to sort through our personal belongings to salvage what we could from the mold that had already begun to take over.”

As residents dug out of their homes from the waves of sand that inundated the island from Helene , with help from many many local volunteers, in dramatic fashion the island was hit again by Hurricane Milton, and this time, the storm arrived as a direct hit to Sarasota and Manatee Counties, something that has not happened in over 100 years. 

With Milton, it was not the storm surge, but the strong winds that affected the region. Winds of up to 102 mph, measured at the Sarasota and Bradenton airport, tore off roofs, smashed windows, collapsed homes and toppled traffic signals. The sustained winds uprooted trees and caused massive power outages, leaving many people struggling to get back on their feet.

With all of the destruction, one might think that was it for the community— but that wasn’t the case. Not by a long-shot.

Businesses and organizations have played a pivotal role in the recovery efforts. Ben Sato, owner of gRUB a tropical BBQ restaurant on the island, generously provided free meals to those in need, while companies like Jersey Mike’s offered complimentary lunches to linemen. 

Many local heroes have also emerged to provide aid and solace to those in need. Chris Culhane, the Director of the Community Center of Anna Maria Island, opened the Center to offer essential services and supplies to those affected by the hurricanes. 

“The Center is the community,” Culhane said. “It’s amazing how every time something happens, this community always rises up to help each other in times of need.”

One example of the Center taking action  was when they received a call from my neighbor who needed help with drywall and debris removal. Quickly thereafter, five people from Bayside Church turned up with gloves, ready to get to work.

Similarly, Frank Agnelli, the owner of Mason-Martin Construction, led the clean-up efforts in Anna Maria City, ensuring that his employees had work and the community could begin to recover. He spent day and night between the hurricanes cleaning the streets of the trash from Helene, so that homes would be safe from flying debris Hurricane Milton’s fierce winds.

In fact, every individual who has lent a hand to someone in need after these storms could be considered a local hero, including the 132 student, parent, and employee volunteers who turned up to Saint Stephen’s last week to help with the clean-up.  The campus saw a great deal of damage, from fallen trees to toppled fences to power outages. 

In the face of immense adversity, the community’s strength in unity is shone through. Together, the Bradenton and Anna Maria Island was steadfast in their determination to support one another, to rebuild our cherished community, and to move forward.

This story was originally published on The Gauntlet on October 25, 2024.