In Manatee County, although access to the barrier islands has been restored, beaches are also closed for storm repairs and debris removal until further notice. Even though some beaches may look ready for use, county officials emphasize that others still require significant work. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about reopening.

Hurricane Milton ravaged Central Florida as a Category 3 storm, then moved across the state, destroying homes, causing floods and spawning tornadoes.

Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane on Florida's west coast near Siesta Key.

Hurricane Milton cut a scar of damage across Central Florida after making landfall on Siesta Key just before 8:30 pm Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm packing 120 mph winds. It flooded inland communities near Orlando and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands.

Milton hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday evening and barreled east across the state, wreaking havoc before spinning out into the Atlantic. Though the Tampa Bay area was spared potentially catastrophic storm surge,

Florida crews remove Helene debris as state prepares for Milton

Downtown Vero Beach suffered significant damage from Hurricane Milton and tornadoes associated with the storm.

More than two million homes and businesses lost power when the storm's eye struck the Tampa Bay area directly, making it the first significant hurricane to do so in almost a century