Hand-scribbled explanations were placed on doors of some Anna Maria Island businesses as Hurricane Hermine racked the island with torrential rain, high winds and surging surf starting Aug. 31 and subsiding Sept. 2.
“Beating the high tide!” and “Stay Dry” were sentiments expressed islandwide as businesses shut down during the three-day storm.
Anna Maria City Hall was closed Sept. 1-2. West Manatee Fire and Rescue administration offices were closed, but first-responders continued life-saving tasks.
Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry issued a statement Aug. 31 that city hall would be closed Sept. 1 and the regular city commission meeting scheduled that day was canceled.
Holmes Beach city offices remained working, but no meetings had been scheduled.
Sean Murphy’s Beach Bistro, 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, served hungry patrons dinner during the storm. His live Gulf cam briefly lost power for several hours the evening of Sept. 1, but the feed continued. His Eat Here restaurant, 5315 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, was plating dinners, as were several smaller island eateries.
Other businesses either left their doors locked or sent staff home early in anticipation of the heavy weather.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on Historic Bridge Street Pier was closed from 2 p.m. Sept. 1 to 11 a.m. Sept. 2. Also, the Bradenton Beach Police Department closed the day dock at the pier to boaters.
The Blue Marlin, 121 Bridge St. shut down Aug. 31 at the onset, but was back up and running by Sept. 2.
The Rod & Reel Pier, 875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria, shuttered Sept. l and remained closed Sept. 2, as flooded streets hindered travel on the northern tip of the island.
The Waterfront Restaurant,111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, closed at l p.m. Aug. 31 as the weather deteriorated, but was open again at 11 a.m. Sept. 2 in anticipation of the holiday weekend.
Several Pine Avenue businesses gave workers time off or abbreviated schedules.
Ginny and Jane E’s Coastal Store and Bakery Cafe, 9807 Gulf Drive, was closed Sept. 2 after weathering some of the day Sept. 1 and Aug. 31.
The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., was closed Sept. 1-2.
Manatee County offices were closed Sept. 1, but reopened Sept. 2, as did the courts.
MCAT buses resumed routes at 7 a.m. Sept. 2, but the popular island trolley still was not running Friday afternoon, Sept. 2.