As recovery efforts from Hurricane Milton began Oct. 10, Longboat Key officials reported a mixed bag of damages and ongoing challenges.
“Our tactical first-in team arrived on Longboat Key … at 8 a.m. We fared well overall with most of the damage being remnants from Hurricane Helene,” LBK fire administration manager Tina Adams wrote to The Islander in an Oct. 10 email.
At the time, the town was dealing with downed trees and damages at the Twin Shores mobile home park, 3740 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Several homes in the park lost roofs in Milton’s high winds.
Adams said St. Armands Circle experienced flooding, rendering it impassable immediately after the storm. To reach Longboat Key from the south, motorists must pass through the circle and cross City Island in Sarasota.
Re-entry for property owners commenced Oct 11 at 8 a.m. Restrictions were lifted for nonresidents Oct. 12 at 7 a.m.
Still, officials warned of potential travel delays and encouraged people to exercise caution on all roadways.
Power outages were widespread and subaqueous power lines running from Longboat Key across Sarasota Bay were compromised.
