Morton’s Siesta Market recalls Hurricane Milton 1 year later

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — It has been one year since Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024.

Many businesses, including Morton’s Siesta Market, still haven’t fully recovered yet.

Morton’s Siesta Market deli manager Dana Benton feels right at home at the beach market, which is less than half a mile from the Gulf.

“It’s always a joy when I come in here, to be honest with you. Like, I feel like they are 100% my family,” she said.

She says the business has become like a family to her — it’s supported her, and she’s been there for it, too, especially in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes.

“I came to help with the cleanup in the deli and the store,” she said. “Last year was the first time since I’ve lived in Florida I’ve experienced a bad hurricane,” she said.

The market’s managers said Hurricane Helene’s storm surge sent about two feet of water into the building, destroying equipment. Then it was Milton’s winds that blew away their awning and left the store without power for four days.

Benton says the effects of the storm are still being felt to this day.

“This year has been kind of slow, and I think it’s because of the hurricane. A lot of people are not wanting to come down. I think in fear that the hurricane is going to come again, or another one’s going to come during this time of year — because it was this time last year,” she said.

Benton says last year’s storms were scary, and while the store still has work to do to recover, she’s thankful she’s found a second home at Morton’s Siesta Market.

“They have helped me grow. They have helped me learn to be productive again. They have helped me learn to love myself,” she said.

The store manager says they are going to wait to make the renovations they haven’t completed — like installing a new awning — until this hurricane season is over.