ANNA MARIA – Last year, mayor Dan Murphy guided the city of Anna Maria’s hurricane preparation, response and recovery efforts. He was assisted by City Commissioner Mark Short and city staff. As mayor, Short now assumes those responsibilities.
The damage that Hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted in Anna Maria included the destruction of the privately-owned Rod & Reel Pier and the partial destruction of the city-owned Anna Maria City Pier. The Anna Maria Post Office sustained significant flood damage and a temporary post office continues to operate in City Pier Park. Many homeowners and business owners were displaced and for some, the recovery efforts continue.
When running for mayor last fall, Short discussed what he learned from Murphy before, during and after the back-to-back hurricanes struck the city.
“I’ve learned that having that plan and that vision is critical,” Short said. “Having existing and positive relationships with vendors and going back to same vendors who have been there for the city during past hurricanes is mission critical. And getting things teed up immediately and not waiting. For us, it’s all about the main thoroughfares. You have to get that done first so people can get back to where they live. It’s about getting people back in the city and back to their homes so they can start their process. And having a city staff that’s been through these situations. They know the playbook and they know exactly what they need to do. It’s not a one man show. We have the right people in the right roles and they know their responsibilities from past experience.”
The city’s successful debris removal strategy included using the Bayfront Park parking lot as a centralized debris staging area. Much of the debris removed from the city rights of way was first deposited at Bayfront Park and later transported to the county landfill.
“You’ve got to get the debris away from the homes as soon as possible. Getting the debris off the streets and to a central location is mission critical. We also had diesel fuel trucks parked right here at city hall so the debris haulers can refuel right here and we’re not dealing with the logistics of them having to go find diesel fuel,” Short said.
Before Hurricane Helene arrived in late September, Short and Commissioner Charlie Salem requested the city’s Facebook page be used for the first time to provide hurricane-related information to the community.
“The last time I looked, the city had more than 11,000 followers,” Short said in November. “A lot of people I talked to said that’s their go-to source for information.”
Short said he also learned the importance of forming and maintaining good working relationships with state and county officials who can provide assistance when needed.
“When you need help, they deliver because of the positive relationships that already exist,” he said.
Sgt. Brett Getman leads the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit. When contacted last week, he said, “Hurricanes Helene and Milton both provided many challenges never faced before in Manatee County. These storms will undoubtedly leave lasting impacts on our community for years to come.”
“Hurricane Helene highlighted the critical importance of storm surge awareness and preparedness. The Anna Maria Unit took proactive efforts that included relocating vehicles, personnel and equipment; however, the severity of coastal flooding was widespread. The saltwater intrusion alone is a lasting concern, particularly regarding the impact on vehicles and infrastructure,” he said.
“While the Anna Maria Unit took the necessary precautions, some within the community did not take the storm surge warnings seriously enough. We hope this experience will encourage greater public responsiveness during future events,” Getman said.
“Hurricane Milton reinforced lessons learned from Helene regarding storm surge and further emphasized the importance of addressing high winds,” Getman said. “Milton demonstrated how quickly conditions can deteriorate and how crucial interagency coordination becomes, especially when residents and business owners seek to return to the Island. To address this, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office plans to post an Anna Maria deputy at the Manatee Avenue Bridge checkpoint in Holmes Beach. Our presence at this location will provide the necessary communication between the respective agencies on the Island. It will also improve the timeliness and safety of our local residents and business owners who wish to access their property,” Getman said.
“Looking ahead, I believe an increase in early public outreach and education on storm surge and wind hazards would be extremely beneficial. The more informed our community is, the more effective our response will be. If Anna Maria is struck again, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Anna Maria Unit will be prepared and ready to serve the community as it has been in the past.
“We ask everyone to embrace patience, especially in the immediate aftermath of a storm. The Sheriff’s Office and city officials need time to safely survey the Island, assess conditions and minimize safety concerns for reentry. During these critical hours, official social media platforms, including those of the city of Anna Maria and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, will be your most reliable and up-to-date sources of information,” Getman said.
General Manager Dean Jones said, “Be prepared. Make sure you have all your supplies: flashlights, batteries, water, food and anything else you may need. Make sure your medications are refilled. Listen to emergency management. Listen to the TV or the radio and monitor social media. If you’re in an evacuation zone and told to get out, get out. It’s too dangerous and it’s not worth it to stay. Take care of your family and take care of your pets.”
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