ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — Sand is piled up to the first floor of most homes on Manasota Key, a sliver of land off Florida’s west coast, where devastation is widespread.

MANASOTA KEY, Fla. – As the sun rises on another day of devastation, the residents of Southwest Florida's once-idyllic coastline are left to pick up the pieces and face an uncertain future.

The barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast was bruised by Hurricane Helene and ravaged by Milton.

Beach sand and bricks washed up on Manasota Key Road Manasota Key resident Lee White clears out his garage two days after Hurricane Milton hit Florida.

Longtime Manasota Key residents said Wednesday that Milton was the worst hurricane they can ever remember.