Anna Maria Island was among the areas hit the hardest by the storm with residents of Bradenton Beach still unable to access the area.

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 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.

The Governor also said that repairing and rebuilding would stay a top priority after many homes and businesses were affected.

There are still flooded streets,” a Manatee County commissioner said. “Sand is blocking streets. Sand is in buildings. Sand is in homes.”

Officials said since the water quality is unknown, residents should assume its unsafe to drink and take the appropriate precautions.

Anna Maria Island was among the areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The small island was underwater, with 100% of single family homes seeing 3-4 feet of floodwaters.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, WM has resumed collection service on Longboat Key on Monday, September 30 for regular household trash