Strong winds from Hurricane Milton created challenges at Manatee County’s airport and seaport that are still being remedied.
Milton damaged two sections of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport roof located over the main concourse, which includes gates and the security checkpoint.
Airport CEO Rick Piccolo told the Herald-Tribune repairs are underway and the airport expects to open at 9 a.m. Wednesday for passenger flights. Private aviation with small aircraft are already able to use the airport’s airfield. The airport parking lots and access for car rental purposes remain open.
“I think we have at least $10 million worth of damage, if not more,” Piccolo said. “We have debris, pieces of roof that blew off and a lot of hangars that have been either heavily damaged or destroyed. We are working as fast as we can. We have a temporary roof we are working on that should be done hopefully by Tuesday at midnight so that we can re-open Wednesday morning.”