Shear is one of many Manatee County business owners and residents cleaning up the ruins of their livelihoods and homes in Cortez Village in the wake of Hurricane Helene. He estima

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he will hold a press conference on Anna Maria Island Saturday afternoon, two days after Hurricane Helene battered Manatee County. Local officials say the barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico suffered extensive damage.

Hurricane Helene, now with winds at 125 mph, has sent rain, wind and storm surge into Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“The large size of the storm is going to push so much water,” NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said in an update Wednesday morning. “When it comes to storm surge, the size of the hurricane is often more important than the intensity, which is often hard for people to digest.”

Manatee County officials have issued evacuation orders for residents in Level A and a recommended evacuation order for residents in Level B. To check your zone, visit www.MyManatee.org/storm or www.FloridaDisaster.org/KnowYourZone.