Hurricane Recovery
#AMISTRONG
Updated as of 2/24/25
Community First, Safety Always
In the wake of Hurricanes Helene & Milton, our beloved Anna Maria Island has endured significant damage. While we are deeply committed to welcoming back visitors who bring life and energy to our shores, our priority right now is the safety of our community and the island’s recovery efforts. A few of our homes sustained absolutely no damage whatsoever other than exterior storm clean-up, a large majority of our homes which are elevated and built for hurricane and flood in mind experienced flooding in only the garage, entry, or lower level pool areas so will be quicker to recover. Our hardest hit areas were our ground level single-story homes, but most are already back open and hosting guests!
ONLY IF the home you originally booked is anticipated to be unavailable for your planned dates of stay, you would have been contacted already. At this time, if you have a reservation with us, plan to come as originally reserved!
The island truly is reopened for business with most of the restaurants, shops, and businesses reopened and operating. All of our homes that are available are hosting visitors. The streets are lined with pedestrians, bicyclists, and day-trippers. The beaches are beautiful and busy! The restaurants and bars are filled. Traffic is back! We are so thrilled to be here!
We are posting real time and honest video and photo updates as much as possible on our Facebook and Instagram so you can see yourself the progress.
Please support our island and local businesses by not cancelling your future reservation and continuing to choose to write your vacation story with us!
Your patience and support during this time are greatly appreciated.
With Love and Appreciation,
The Once Upon A Beach Team
All homes are going through a thorough interior and exterior cleaning process, landscape and debris removal process, pool restoration and chemical rebalancing, and completion of ‘guest-readiness’ inspection checklist to ensure everything is buttoned up and ready to go.
Any of our elevated homes only experienced flooding in the lower levels. That is by design and the homes are built for it. Our ground level homes were hit the hardest and many are completely cleared out of any water touched items… drywall, cabinets, AC units, water heaters, electrical outlets, and furniture. All our being properly restored per permitting requirements and legal inspections and new furnishings brought back in. Additionally, the city may require us to undergo another inspection prior to reopening. Rest assured, any homes that had ANY type of water intrusion are being intensely and professionally restored per all health and safety guidelines.
We are taking care of our homes the correct way now, so we can take ensure our guests are taking care of in the future.
READINESS GOALS:
16 Homes & Pools WERE GUEST Ready As of 11/23 (43%)
25 Homes & Pools WERE GUEST Ready by 12/18 (60%)
36 Homes & Pools by 3/1 (92%)
39 Homes & Pools by Spring/Summer 2025 (100%)
The island as a whole is OPEN AND WELCOMING VISITORS
There are NO vacation rental moratoriums, curfews, or limited access to any area of the island as of 11/2/24
All bridges and roadways are OPEN to vehicular, pedestrian, and bike traffic.Manatee Public Beach including AMI Beach Cafe & Parking is OPEN
Southern end of Coquina Beach & South Coquina Parking is OPEN
Beaches have been professionally cleaned and raked and are accessible from most beach access points along the gulf coast.
MCAT & Trolley Service is RUNNING
63rd Street Boat Ramp & South Coquina Boat Ramp are OPEN
Kingfish Boat Ramp is OPEN
Gulf Islands Ferry is RUNNING
Most Island Restaurants and Businesses are Reopened including The Waterfront Restaurant, Sandbar, BeachHouse, Doctor’s Office, The Porch, Duffys, Skinnys, etc. The notable closures that remain are Blue Marlin and a few Bradenton Beach restaurants.
Publix, pharmacies, and convenience stores are all open.
Please note that gas availability may be limited on island at this time.
Grocery delivery services have resumed by Instacart, Kroger, and Loaded KitchenCoquina Beach Market & HAS REOPENED for season Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
The NEW Farmer’s Market at The Center of AMI is now OPEN on Tuesdays
Rod & Reel Pier and City of Anna Maria Pier are CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Anna Maria Island/Bradenton Area Recovery Information
https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/recovery/
Water/Beach Quality Reports can be found below.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=87162eec3eb846218cec711d16462a72
Our office at 411 Pine Avenue has REOPENED. As always, we are available to answer all your questions!
The BEST source for up to date information on what is open, home status, and overall island vibe is our social media accounts!
info@onceuponabeachami.com
941-584-5844
Monday - Saturday 9-5
Don't cancel your reservation just yet! Give us some time! Additionally follow us on Facebook & Instagram, share and like our posts, and if you have stayed with us before or had an amazing experience with your booking or cancellation process recently, please leave us a 5 star review! As a small business, all the good vibes sent our way is a HUGE help to us! So spread the word!
Bradenton Area Convention Center and Tourism Bureau in collaboration with The Center of AMI are providing centralized support for donations, benefit concerts, and updates regarding how you can support our area and what is open!
https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/recovery/
https://centerami.org/hurricane-relief-information/
