Photo courtesy City of Sarasota: Hurricane Idalia lands a boat in Bayfront Park.

While Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, storm surge and wind caused significant damage in the Sarasota-Bradenton region. Sarasota County officials estimated some $2.65 million in damages in the unincorporated areas alone.

County leaders have requested state assistance and extended a state of emergency through Sept. 11, next Monday.

In Manatee County, officials continue to assess the level of damage, but have seen extraordinary impacts in particular on the barrier islands in Holmes Beach, Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. Residents well after the storm passed the region found streets flooded, with saltwater flowing from the Gulf of Mexico into the Intercoastal Waterway.

In total, infrastructure damages in the county likely top $2 million, a threshold for obtaining additional financial assistance from the state.

“We’ve been running rescue all night,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “We are doing what we need to keep people safe.”

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, also joined a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden calling for a major disaster declaration in Florida, including in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“This major hurricane will continue to impact the state for some time, and the full extent of damage will not be known for days,” read the letter, led by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and co-signed by eight U.S. representatives. “However, approving this declaration request will allow Floridians to be better prepared for the recovery phase. As such, we urge you to approve the State of Florida’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

Officials for the City of Sarasota say overall fared well. Some flooding occurred, but officials said new drainage systems at intersections like the Gulfstream Avenue roundabout on U.S. 41 performed well. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall saw some water intrusion but there was no observable damage to the building roof or signage.

“It’s been a whirlwind week, but we made it,” wrote Mayor Kyle Battie in a letter to constituents.

Photo courtesy City of Sarasota: Hurricane Idalia lands a boat in Bayfront Park.