Aerial Footage REVEALS damage on Anna Maria Island from Helene

This aerial footage shows the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Anna Maria Island. The storm surge caused damage, which is revealed in this video.

I filmed this footage two days after the storm passed. Clean-up began the day after, but residents and business owners were only allowed back on the island a few hours before I shot this footage. Some may have been arriving at their houses for the first time as I am filming. I stayed a bit higher in the air out of respect for them.

I was born and raised in this area. Filming and editing this footage was no easy task. I was overwhelmed with emotions. We have never seen devastation like this on the island before.

The footage starts from the South end of the Island and progresses to the North end.

- JustinDoesWhat

Special Thanks to Evan Marchesini for driving the boat and taking me to different locations while I filmed. I also want to thank my wife for bringing me the equipment I had left behind.

Music By: Eleven Tales

[JustinDoesWhat]

This is for anyone who would like to support relief efforts or if you need relief on Anna Maria Island. Here is a link to the Center of Anna Maria Island:

Your financial support is crucial. By making direct donations to the community, you are playing a vital role in the relief efforts. Click the "Donate" button on their site to contribute.

Please respect the community and only go to Anna Maria Island if you are a resident, business owner, or there for relief work. Otherwise, you are just clogging up the one road open to access the island. Thank you for understanding!

[katrinalowrey]

Thank you for taking the time to film this and share it with us.

[nrskr]

Just visited 2 weeks before the storm and had a great time. Wonderful community and a fantastic place. Praying for you all. God Bless

[jacquelyngardner]

We are coming back next summer to stay on the island. I want to support the island in sickness and in health. Anna Maria is still paradise
These Islanders need our financial support. I intend to do all that I can. There is so much beauty there.

[trishmohr]

My heart is ripped wide open. Thank you for sharing the video. I will pray for the recovery and repair of this special island we love so much!

[zebanderson]

Thank you! Best footage i've seen of my grandmother's house!

[malgozata]

Thank you for the aerial footage of our beloved Anna Maria Island. If you would do another aerial footage showing what the island looks like after Hurricane Milton, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

[carolbartucci]

Thank you for taking the time to film this. You passed right by our home so we were able to see area conditions.

[rastajahlove]

ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS EXCELLENT FOOTAGE!!

[WandaRaible-yhqq]

Award winning footage. As someone who is from the area as well, I haven’t seen it firsthand. You made me feel as though now I have . It’s somewhat comforting as horrific and heartbreaking as it is, to see this coverage. Filmed like a true local . 🫶

[karlastreeter]

Thank you for taking the time to do this and for posting. It breaks my heart to see the absolute destruction that Helene did. Some areas got it much worse than others.
I have faith many will rebuild. Prayers to everyone who has been affected.

[staycation_jason]

Glad to see that most of the buildings are intact and the water looking so clear even after the event. Rebuilding will take time but the foundation of the island still stands. Looking forward to heading back to Bean Point in a few weeks to support our locals! Paradise ❤

[KH]

Damn. Thank you for posting this! AMI is our most favorite place in the world. So many happy family memories there. It hurts to see it like this.

[MichellePoirier-mx]

My thoughts and prayers are with you all 😢
I used to live there
Thank you for sharing
💙💙👍💙💙🙏😢

[Dport]

Thank you for sharing! I have been visiting AMI since i was a child. I now take my family and children there yearly. This hits in a way i was not expecting. We are at a loss for words! Praying for all of you. Thank you again, this was sad but needed.

[ginners]

Thank you for taking the time to film this. AMI is our happy place, and it's very sad to see it this way. Praying for everyone affected.

[socialbutterfly]

Then you so much for sharing this footage with us. This was my stomping grounds in high school. In the 80’s. This is so sad.
The music is perfect And respectful for this video. ❤️🙏❤️

[ajaxmaintenance]

Compared to other places it seems to have weathered the storm surprisingly well. Glad to see.

[sunnylou]

I’d like to see an aerial of the island again after milton. This one you were really able to see everything you did a great job go around the same way you did this one would be great. Thank you.

[Coastal-Electric-of-Sarasota]

Great footage Justin!
Absolutely devastated by all the damage. We have such a great community here and we’ll get the island back on its feet in no time!