Sarasota Magazine

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As Sarasota and Manatee counties continue to assess the breadth of damage caused by Hurricane Helene, here's what you need to know tonight, Sunday, Sept. 29. Click through to the post for more details. 📍 All Sarasota County beaches are closed, and access to Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island remains restricted 📍Bradenton Beach will begin to open on Monday, Sept. 30, in order for residents and business owners to begin documenting property, assessing damage and initiating insurance claims. This will be done via foot access over the Cortez Bridge 📍Both counties continue to work to restore potable drinking water to all businesses and residents Points of distribution providing supplies like water, tarps, meals-ready-to-eat and more are open in Sarasota and Manatee counties. (Supplies vary by location.) 📍Sarasota and Manatee county operations will resume tomorrow 📍FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are opening on Monday, Sept. 30, in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota 📍Schools in both counties, with the exception of Anna Maria Elementary, will resume Monday, Sept. 30 📍The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FEMA) has confirmed that the Biden-Harris administration approved Gov. Ron Desantis’ request for a major disaster declaration 📍The Florida Chamber of Commerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene https://hubs.ly/Q02Rs1X90

Sarasota County officials reported that, as of this morning, authorities had evacuated 33 from the barrier islands and that at least six feet of water from the Gulf of Mexico had flooded Siesta Key due to Hurricane Helene. Here's what else to know tonight. https://hubs.ly/Q02Rrx9D0

Four supply locations will offer water, ice, sports drinks, tarps, flood buckets, non-perishable food items and meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) to those affected by Hurricane Helene. https://hubs.ly/Q02Rrjm40

During Hurricane Helene's passage, Manatee County reported peak storm surges of between 5.5 feet and 7 feet at various data points throughout the county. Overnight, emergency operators answered more than a thousand 9-1-1 calls. Here’s what else to know tonight. https://hubs.ly/Q02RqS7w0

As our region begins recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, we’ve put together a list of local, state and national organizations offering help if you need it. We’ll keep this list updated as we learn more. If you are a local business who has power and Internet and you're opening your doors to our neighbors in need, please post your info in a comment. We'd love for this post to become a resource for those in need. https://hubs.ly/Q02Rn-qZ0

Hurricane Helene update: Flood and storm surge warnings are in effect, and a tornado watch has also been issued for the region. Here's what else to know tonight. 🚧Tropical storm conditions are expected through tomorrow, with hurricane conditions possible until about 1 a.m. 🚧 Bridges to barrier islands and other roads remain closed 🚧 Water service has been shut off to the barrier islands 🚧 A flood warning is in effect until 8 a.m. on Sept. 27 🚧 A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida, including Sarasota-Manatee, until 6 a.m. on Sept. 27 🚧 A storm surge warning is in effect. Our region could see 4-7 feet of storm surge, and up to 8 feet on parts of Longboat Key 🚧 The next high tide is at 12:20 a.m., which could bring even more flooding to the already-waterlogged area 🚧 Excessive runoff could result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may also occur in urban areas with poor drainage and other areas with poor drainage. 🚧 The forecast for Friday is mostly sunny, with a high temperature around 89 degrees, with heat index values up to 103. Take extra caution in the heat as you begin clean-up efforts. 🚧 Comcast has opened 52,296 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots for anyone to use to stay connected during the storm, including non-Xfinity customers 🚧 Sarasota and Manatee schools will remain closed until Monday, Sept. 30. 🚧 Local officials advise people to shelter in place until conditions improve https://hubs.ly/Q02Rkfd10

Both Sarasota and Manatee counties have opened evacuation centers due to Hurricane Helene. Here's where to find them. https://hubs.ly/Q02Rj4-10

Where do all the critters go when a hurricane strikes? They’re not watching the news and getting evacuation orders. They have no homes to board up. How do they survive? Jeanne Dubi, past president of the Sarasota Audubon Society, gave us a lesson on how our resident birds handle disaster. https://hubs.ly/Q02RhVhZ0

Avoid the barrier islands and coastline communities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. We’ll keep this list updated as we learn more. https://hubs.ly/Q02RgLJg0