Bradenton Beach, a community grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, is poised to welcome back its residents and business owners starting at 8 a.m. this Thursday. The city has been largely inaccessible since the storm surge battered the coast and deposited vast quantities of sand on streets and properties, as reported by WFLA.
Re-entry is restricted to those with a red vehicle tag, photo ID, and proof of residency; pedestrians are also permitted, however, long wait times are expected due to the checkpoint located at Cortez Road West and 127th Street West, all in an effort to manage the flow of returnees and prioritize safety in the still-vulnerable locale WTSP detailed that while locals can access the area to assess damages it's still off-limits to the general public until officials fully approve a broader opening.
Parking constraints will be in place to ensure the thoroughfares are not obstructed; authorities have designated side streets and bayside parking on Avenues A through C as permissible areas, while a clear warning has been issued that any vehicle left unattended on Gulf Drive is subject to immediate towing, a necessity to keep vital access routes clear for recovery and aid efforts, this according to WFLA. Mayor John Chappie, surveyed the widespread damage exclaiming, "It's going to be tough and it's going to take some time," highlighting the sequential nature of disaster recovery.
Earlier coverage by WTSP included Mayor Chappie's personal testimony of the destruction, where he said, "The sand was unbelievable," describing the scenes of natural beauty painfully reconfigured into something of a disaster landscape. State assessments by CERT classified Bradenton Beach as a "catastrophic area," revealing the storm's immense impact where it wrecked an estimated 90% to 95% of the city, leaving officials, residents, and business owners the colossal task of piecing together their community once again.
