Sarasota County debris teams have found that the most significant damage from Hurricane Helene is on the barrier islands, primarily structural in nature, and likely caused by water intrusion. Teams in both counties are working to restore utilities, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

During the storm’s passage, Manatee County recorded 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. 

Evacuation Centers Consolidated, Evacuation Orders Lifted

In Sarasota County centers have been consolidated to Longwood Park and Colonial Oaks Park. 

 In Manatee County, a Red Cross shelter is now open to provide temporary housing for those displaced by Hurricane Helene. If you or someone you know needs a safe place to stay, please call 311 to get registered and receive further assistance.

Barrier Island Access

There is still no access to St. Armands, Lido and Longboat keys.

Casey Key and Manasota Key still have uncleared roads, and Casey Key does not have water service. 

Siesta and Bird keys are open to residents. 

In Manatee County, evacuations have been lifted, but Anna Maria Island is still closed. There is a curfew for all three cities on Anna Maria Island from dusk to down. There will also be no power or water for several days—both for the residents' and responders' safety and to protect the homes and businesses on the island. Marine rescue is actively searching neighborhoods for people who stayed on the island and need help evacuating. Manatee County Transportation is providing busses to transport anyone from the island to a Red Cross shelter.

The Holmes Beach Police Department said that officials are hoping to let residents and business owners back to the island on Monday, but no one will be allowed back until roads can be cleared and first responders determine that it is safe to return. Once that happens, only residents with reentry tags will be allowed onto the island.

Water Service Is Beginning to Be Restored to Barrier Islands

Water service was restored to Bird Key on Friday, Sept. 27, with a precautionary boil water advisory in effect. As of 6 p.m., power was restored to 17 of the 38 lift stations on Siesta Key. Once power is restored to all lift stations, Public Utilities staff will be deployed to restore potable water service to that area as soon as the area is safely accessible to do so. 

Water remains off on Manasota Key, St. Armands/Lido Key, and Anna Maria Island.

When flooding recedes on St. Armands and Lido Key, crews will access the distribution system and determine when water service will be restored. Staff is staged and ready to deploy to Casey Key to restore services as soon as the area is safely accessible to do so.

Debris Collection

Debris collection contractors have been activated and are in the process of mobilizing their service teams. In order to allow residents in these hardest-hit areas time to return home and place damaged materials at the curb, collection of storm related debris materials in these areas is expected to begin next week, on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Storm Debris Preparation Guidelines

• 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.

Residents living outside of the barrier islands and hardest hit areas should follow current disposal guidelines for collection services. (Visit the Solid Waste How-To Guide for Residents in Sarasota County for details.) Materials—including yard waste—that are not properly prepared for collection will not be collected by the service provider.

Properly prepared vegetative materials should be

• Bagged (paper only), bundled and tied or containerized.
• 4 feet or less in length.
• 16 inches or less in diameter.
• 40 pounds or less in weight (each paper bag, bundle or container).

Items that are in bags, containers or bundles should not exceed 40 pounds. This applies to both garbage and yard waste.

Local officials warn residents to take caution during recovery cleanup, since the risk of injury or death remains high post-storm. Additionally, 

"Most injuries and casualties happen after the storm," says Manatee County Emergency Management chief Matt Meyers. "So we want everyone to be as careful as possible. Do not go into the flooded waters. Be careful about debris, sharp objects, things around your home while you are cleaning up."

Sarasota and Manatee County Schools Will Reopen Monday

All Sarasota County traditional public schools and facilities have been cleared and will be opening as scheduled on Monday, Sept. 30, for school and work. Only designated teachers and staff members will be able to access school campuses that served as evacuation centers per the instructions from your principal or supervisor.

Manatee County schools are also planning to resume all normal school operations on Monday, Sept. 30.