Like several other destinations in Southwest Florida, Anna Maria Island was not as affected by Hurricane Irma as many anticipated it would be. Although most homes and businesses were largely spared from damage, some of them did require repairs and made local Anna Maria Island news as a result.
Hurricane Irma
Anna Maria Island residents received hurricane evacuation notices as they braced for Irma starting on September 8th, and the evacuation became mandatory for the entire island.
Residents were asked to head to the mainland for safety, but homes, Anna Maria vacation rentals, and businesses were boarded up and hurricane-proofed as much as possible prior to Irma’s arrival.
Local agencies and emergency services were highly prepared for the storm with stores of water, food, and fuel and the latest information. They were prepared for extra shifts if required with generators, propane, and other supplies to provide rescuing for up to 36 hours straight or longer if required.
Weathermen were calling Irma a “massive storm” – and although it was one of the most significant in Bradenton history, its intensity significantly dropped off prior to hitting Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.
Although Hurricane Irma was at one point a fierce Category 5 storm, it weakened when it made landfall with Cuba, dropping down to a Category 3 storm once it hit Marco Island, and a Category 2 storm once it reached Manatee/Sarasota County.
Damage To Anna Maria
The City Pier took some significant damage and remains closed, as repairs are expected to take several months. Roofing and planks were ripped off during the storm. The city is currently continuing with its plans to restore it back to where it was.
Most other attractions and structures remained largely intact. The island did have to deal with a lack of power for days; by September 14th power was resident to most of the island’s residents. Two-thirds of full-time residents also returned to the island by the 14th.
The city chose to wait some weeks before bringing in a service to remove all large debris at once. The Rod and Reel Pier was only slightly damaged, and it opened about a week after Irma ended.
Plan Your Visit
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History of Bradenton and Sarasota Hurricanes
Although Bradenton residents are well aware of the fact that hurricanes can pass through their area, serious damage is a rarity. Homeowners and emergency personnel always remain prepared and the region is somewhat susceptible to flooding, but prior to Irma, there were few serious storms.
In 2004, Hurricane Charley hit several Florida cities and caused massive damage, however, Bradenton was spared with winds that reached just about 60 mph. In September of the same year, two hurricanes passed Bradenton – Hurricane Ivan remained three miles offshore but produced tides that were 4 feet higher. Hurricane Frances only led to some beach erosion and flooding.
Hurricane Donna in 1960 produced winds of up to 90-100 mph in Sarasota/Bradenton, however, winds were up to 160 mph in the interior of Florida. Florida had about 3 million people at this time. In spite of the high winds, the Bradenton/Sarasota area was once again spared, with mostly flood and tree damage.
Although Hurricane Irma ended up being a major source of local Anna Maria Island news like other hurricanes of the past, the area remained largely intact, perhaps due to luck, geography, or a combination of both.
