BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — Residents have been finally welcomed back to Bradenton Beach, nearly a week after it was hit by Hurricane Helene. 

Thursday was the first day since Hurricane Helene that residents and business owners were allowed to drive to and from Bradenton Beach. But after passing the checkpoint and crossing Cortez Bridge, they enter what looks like a different world.

What You Need To Know

  •  Thursday was the first day that residents and business owners were allowed to return to Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene

  •  City officials estimate that 90-95% of the city was destroyed by the storm

  • While work is underway to restore power, area beaches remained closed and a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew was still in place

Everywhere you turn, devastation from Hurricane Helene is evident. An entire house is seen sitting in the street after being washed away during the storm. Some of the owner’s belongings were still visible hanging on the wall.

"It goes to show the amazing power of water and how strong it is," said Jeremi Roberts, PIO for Florida Region 3 Incident Management Team. "We are talking 300-400 feet away.” 

City officials say 90-95% of the city of Bradenton Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

"Where we're at now is, one, getting people back to their homes, and two, power and utility restoration," Roberts said.

Crews continued working to restore power and the Salvation Army was set up, along with local restaurants, to provide free food and water for residents whose homes were flooded.

“I’ve experienced storms, but this one takes the book, because it hit us hard," said resident Michael Tom. "A lot harder than expected. But, you know, we’ll get through it. Ain’t nothing that God can hold us to, you know what I mean? We got this."

Some local employees have been helping out.

“I’ve just been putting in all of my extra time here to help out everybody," said Daiquiri Deck kitchen manager Shane Heinz. "Not just our restaurant alone. So it’s been pretty rough and pretty hot, but we’re all coming together as a team."

Some local store owners and workers are just now realizing what the storm left behind.

“Just the water on our floor. We gotta redo all our drywall, flooring, custom-built fixtures," said Mary Lant, who works at the Cove Gallery & Boutique. "We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re in good spirits.” 

Crews have been working non-stop to restore power in Bradenton Beach. City officials said beaches remain closed, and there is still a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.