Bay Area beaches begin to reopen after Hurricane Milton

Manatee County Public Beach reopening after storms

Kimberly Kuizon reports

BRADENTON, Fla. - Recovery efforts continue across the Bay Area after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but several area beaches are starting to reopen.

Manatee County Public Beach reopened earlier this week along with its amenities. Officials say parking may be limited, though, because they’re still clearing some sand and debris. Several businesses, including Anna Maria Island Beach Café, are also back open.

Clarice Abramigis, a regular beach-goer, was one who was able to return to her spot on the beach after it reopened.

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"I can’t believe how quickly they managed to clean it up. It’s amazing," she said.

Carmine DeMilio, the deputy director of Parks and County Grounds for Manatee County, said some staff have worked 10-12-hour days with some having worked 29 days straight to reopen areas, including Manatee Public Beach.

Nearby parking areas are being used for sand-sifting operations to return the clean sand directly to the beaches where it was washed away. Officials say this on-site process is designed to save money, time and effort.

"They have removed four feet of sand from the restrooms, the sidewalks, the picnic areas, parking lots, they’ve removed truckloads of debris from these beautiful beaches," said DeMilio.

READ: Treasure Island beaches back open, Sunset Beach remains closed after Hurricane Milton

Some beaches, though, took a harder hit. DeMilio said the county is working diligently to get Coquina and Cortez Beaches back open. They're looking to open a portion of Coquina Beach mid-next week into the later portion of the week.

"Within the next two weeks, we are looking to have everything open and operable," he said.

For Carol Whitmore, who is a Holmes Beach resident and former Manatee County commissioner, the reopening is a spot of brightness after dealing with personal loss.

"This is important, because it’s bringing us that are displaced, like I’m still not in my house a month later. it gives us a sense of normalcy. Something normal is finally starting to happen. We had a lot of tragedy in the last month, and I think this sort of heals," said Whitmore.

As crews continued to work, guests filled the Anna Maria Island Beach Café, where Tanner Enoch and his staff worked to reopen six days after Milton passed.

"The energy on site since we reopened has been amazing," said Enoch. "The community comes together and shows us so much support. It’s really a magical feeling after so many days of tough and sadness to have this happiness and energy is really great."

While there is still work to be done around the island, each place that reopens brings a positive boost to residents and visitors.

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