Hurricane Helene brought significant storm surge flooding to Sarasota, Florida, particularly impacting areas like Siesta Key and downtown Sarasota. The surge caused power outages, flooding in streets and buildings, and damage to beaches and boats. In Siesta Key Village, water levels rose dramatically, leaving sand and debris throughout the area. Meanwhile, downtown Sarasota saw up to 4 feet of water in some places. Despite these challenges, many parts of Sarasota, including new construction communities like Palmer Ranch and Lakewood Ranch, experienced minimal damage and have returned to normal operations.