Skyway Bridge Reopens After Hurricane Hermine

BRADENTON, FL — Tampa Bay area motorists who use the Skyway Bridge to get around can breathe a sigh of relief. The bridge has reopened to traffic following a day-long closing prompted by Hurricane Hermine.

The bridge’s reopening was announced at 3:50 p.m. Friday by the Florida Highway Patrol. That agency shut down traffic in both directions just before 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1. At that time, troopers had clocked winds on the bridge averaging 46 mph with gusts up to 56 mph.

Hurricane Hermine made landfall in the Big Bend area early Friday morning. It has since moved out of the state, but left much damage in its wake. At last report, thousands of Floridians were without power and flooding has been reported in communities along the Gulf Coast.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol