As our region continues to clean up from Hurricane Helene, initial estimates from Moody's Analytics and AccuWeather put the storm's damage in the tens of billions of dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

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County crews continue to work to clear tons of sand swept onto to the barrier islands from Helene's storm surge, and those who'd long advocated for the reopening of Midnight Pass rejoiced that Helene had done it for them, restoring the flow of water between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. (More on that to come.)

In the meantime, here's what to know tonight. 

Longboat Key Residents Urged to Restrict Wastewater Usage

The Town of Longboat Key has posted an emergency request for residents to restrict wastewater usage as much as possible due to the system capacity being exceeded by all incoming flows. Town officials ask that residents continue to conserve wastewater system usage until further notice so crews are able properly repair the damage.

Emergency Access to Roads on Casey Key and Manasota Key

Emergency access has been restored for the following road segments in Sarasota County:

• Casey Key Road between Albee Road and Blackburn Point Road.
• Manasota Key Road for all residents between the Charlotte County line and Manasota Beach Road. There is still no through access in the area of Blind Pass Beach due to the road washout in that area; however, residents on each end can receive emergency vehicle access.
• Areas of North Casey Key Road—north of the 200 block of North Casey Key Road—do not have direct emergency access from the roadway. Hurricane Helene washed out several portions of North Casey Key Road between the 200 and 900 block.  While this is a major impact, Sarasota County has a contractor actively working on restoring emergency access, which is expected to occur within the next two weeks.  Emergency response for affected residents is being provided by EMS Marine Rescue, in addition to Nokomis Fire, where possible.

Curfew Lifted for City of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach police have lifted curfews for residents of the City of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. Residents must provide hang tags or proper identification to enter; entry does not apply to businesses, business owners or workers. Non-residents will not be allowed on the island after 7 p.m. and the Manatee Avenue bridge toward the island is to island-bound traffic. Access will re-open at 7 a.m.

To obtain a hang tag for island entry, speak to Holmes Beach Police (941) 708-5804) or City of Anna Maria officials (941) 708- 6130).

Free Medical Services

MCR Health will be at the Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street East in Palmetto on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 12 to 4 p.m., to provide medical visits, medication and prescription refills, mental health services and referral services. The clinic will travel to GT Bray Park on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cortez Village on Oct. 3 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Palmetto Point on Oct. 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Public Utilities Update

Sarasota County Public Utilities staff is currently working to gain access and restore power to lift stations at Sanderling Road and Fisherman’s Haven on Siesta Key. Water has been restored to Sanderling Road and a boil water notice is in effect.

Once staff can power up the lift stations, they will look to restore potable water services to residents in the area. Once water services are restored, residents will be under a boil water notice until they are notified that it has been lifted.

Beach Conditions Are Still Unsafe

Most beaches in Sarasota and Manatee counties are experiencing unsafe conditions, erosion and debris due to the storm.

In Sarasota County, all beaches are closed and lifeguards will not be present on Sarasota County owned and/or operated beaches until conditions allow for safe access and use. 

In Manatee County, access to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key is restricted and curfews remain in place on both islands from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Debris Clean-Up

In Manatee County, tipping fees at Lena Road Landfill are waived for Manatee residents only for storm-related materials such as tree limbs, roofing, furniture, and other debris after Hurricane Helene. Debris cannot be mixed. Plant material and construction material must be separated. 

Debris pick-up in Manatee County began today, Sept. 30, and is ongoing. 

In Sarasota County, debris collection contractors have been activated for the barrier islands and are mobilizing their service teams. To allow barrier island residents time to return home and place damaged materials at the curb, collection of storm-related debris materials in these areas is expected to begin Wednesday, Oct. 2. 

How to prepare storm debris: 

• Place large storm-related debris separately from regular garbage at the curb for collection 
• Separate items by category (construction and demolition materials, furniture/mattresses and appliances/white goods).
• Any construction and demolition materials contained in plastic bags should be placed with the regular garbage.

Don't Mix Sand

As both counties continue to clear the sand that was blown ashore by Hurricane Helene, it's important that sand on private property not be mixed with sand on roadways.

Sand on the roadways will be sorted and tested before being returned to the beach, following Florida Department of Environmental Protection and state health department guidelines.

Sand on private property cannot be returned to the beach due to potential contaminants like nails, debris and household chemicals.

Manatee County is currently working with local municipalities to develop a plan for handling sand on private properties. Sarasota County has not announced a plan for handling sand yet; we'll let you know when we learn more.