Early Helene damage numbers near $400M in Manatee. That number could get way higher

Dollar estimates for damages caused by Hurricane Helene in Manatee County are starting to roll in, and the total has already neared $400 million, according to local officials.

The storm’s eastern edge sent over 6 feet of storm surge ashore, destroying coastal homes and businesses in communities like Rubonia , Cortez , East Bradenton and others.

Anna Maria Island, Manatee County’s popular tourist destination which suffered extreme devastation , is not included in these initial damage estimates. When those damage assessments are made, Helene’s total cost to Manatee could jump significantly.

Manatee County’s Helene damages top $358 million

On Monday, Manatee County Government shared the following early damage estimate for unincorporated Manatee County.

Residential damage:

• Homes destroyed: 542
• Homes with major damage: 553
• Homes with minor damage: 1,635
• Additional homes affected: 314
• Total in dollars: $353,951,318

Commercial damage:

• Businesses destroyed : 52
• Businesses with major damage: 5
• Businesses with minor damage: 173
• Additional businesses affected: 15
• Total in dollars: $4,635,400

Bradenton and Palmetto Helene damages top $40 million

As of Monday, Palmetto officials had assessed $22 million in total storm damages, according to Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.

Bradenton officials had assessed $17.2 million in residential damage and $1.7 million in commercial damage.

City Administrator Rob Perry said it will be a storm for the history books.

He said the worst damage within city limits is in the East Bradenton area, between Manatee Memorial Hospital and the Braden River.

“There is bad flooding all over from Riverside Drive to the Braden River,” Perry said Monday. “We are mounting the largest recovery effort that the city has experienced in modern times, and perhaps in its history.”

Perry estimated that between 400 and 500 homes in that area were flooded. As of Sunday, the city had hauled away over 260 tons of storm debris from Bradenton neighborhoods — much of it ruined appliances, furniture, drywall and personal belongings.

Perry estimates that the city has only collected 10 to 15% of the debris.

“It was heartbreaking,” said Perry, who has been out helping crews with cleanup.

Assistance on the way

Federal, state and local assistance programs are coming online to help those impacted by Helene .

In Bradenton, Perry said city staff will be working to connect residents with advice and resources.

“We will be going through there on a door-to-door basis trying to assist with damage assessment,” Perry said. “We’re trying to get people pointed in the right direction with building safety, repairs and needs.”

“A lot of funding will be available,” Perry added. “But we have to coordinate between the folks that need it and those sources.”

Bradenton residents can find out more about storm recovery assistance at CityOfBradenton.com/storm , and Manatee County residents can visit MyManatee.org .

The Bradenton Herald has also asked the three island cities for preliminary damage estimates and will provide them if figures become available.

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