Officials in Manatee County are set to begin the recovery process Friday morning after Hurricane Helene slammed through the area as a major Category 4 storm. Early reports of damage and flooding have been reported throughout the Bradenton area, including severe flooding on Anna Maria Island, Cortez and along the Manatee River.

While west Manatee beaches took a "devastating" hit, Lakewood Ranch-area residents were dealing with minor cleanup Friday.