One year ago, today, Hurricane Helene moved toward Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane. Although Helene remained 125 miles from Manatee County's coast, wind gusts topping 90 mph were recorded. The county's barrier islands sustained about six feet of storm surge, leaving upwards of five feet of sand once the waters receded. And, a six-foot storm surge along the Manatee River flooded homes and roads along the Bradenton coast. In the aftermath of Helene, BPD provided mutual aid to t