Helene dumped sand on Anna Maria Island homes and roads. Here’s what to do with it

Recovery efforts continue on Anna Maria Island after last Thursday’s devastating Hurricane Helene.

Preliminary storm surge numbers from the National Weather Service saw a record 6.09 feet hit Port Manatee and impact was felt along Manatee County’s barrier islands.

Part of Helene’s fallout is sand dispersed along roadways and homes on Anna Maria Island. Beach access remains closed and curfews are in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Manatee County officials stressed not to dump sand on the beach, due to possible contamination.

“Any sand that has been deposited on private property cannot simply be returned to the beach due to concerns of nails, debris, or household contaminants like oil, bleach, fertilizers, etc.,” a Manatee County news release said.

The release said sand recovered from roadways is sorted, sifted and tested before returning to the beach under Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Health Department requirements.

Manatee County spokesperson Bill Logan said once roadway right of ways are opened, residents can push the debris sand off the curb line, similarly to how snow is handled in northern states during winter months.

“And then it would be collected like debris,” Logan said. “But we’re kind of working on different timing right now to get furniture and that kind of debris away first, before people then have to pile their sand down on the curb line.”

The county plans to share updates on how businesses and homeowners on Anna Maria Island can get rid of the sand on their property in coming weeks.