News & City Life

Disaster Relief

What to Know About Hurricane Helene Recovery: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024

Access to Bradenton Beach will begin tomorrow, plus updates on cleanup efforts, water restoration, emergency disaster declarations, small bridge loans and more.

09/29/2024 By Megan McDonald

Hurricane Recovery

What to Know About Hurricane Helene Recovery: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024

Local governments continued to restore water and power, and limited re-entry was permitted to the barrier islands. A curfew remains in place throughout all of Anna Maria.

09/28/2024 By Staff

Disaster Relief

Supply Distribution Locations Open in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Supplies available include water, ice, sports drinks, tarps, flood buckets, non-perishable food items and Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MREs).

09/28/2024 By Megan McDonald

Disaster Relief

What to Know About Hurricane Helene Recovery: Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

Information on debris pickup and more.

09/27/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene Is Causing Widespread Flooding Throughout the Region

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.

09/26/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Helene

Water Has Been Turned Off on Sarasota and Manatee County Barrier Islands Due to Hurricane Helene

Sarasota and Manatee counties have shut off water service due to storm surge impacts. Here's the list of affected locations.

09/26/2024 By Staff

Ride Share

Uber to Offer Free Rides to Evacuation Centers

Floridians in counties under a state of emergency can use the code HELENERELIEF to get free rides to and from shelters.

09/25/2024 By Staff

Tropical Update

Hurricane Helene Has the Potential for Severe Impacts Outside Its Projected Path

Helene is a very large storm covering a lot of area—like Hurricane Debby, but much more powerful—and in a bad location for Florida.

09/25/2024 By Bob Bunting

Soundtrack the Storm

Your Hurricane Playlist

You have no control over the storm, but you can control your radio!

09/25/2024 By Isaac Eger

This Blows

What Exactly Does Storm Surge Mean?

And how are hurricanes classified? We're answering your questions.

09/25/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Weather

Sarasota County Schools to Close From Sept. 25 to Sept. 27 Due to Tropical Storm Helene

Manatee County schools, Ringling College and New College also announced closures.

09/24/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Season

Do You Know Your Evacuation Zone?

Use Sarasota and Manatee counties' interactive tools to find evacuation levels and routes, shelters and more.

09/24/2024 By Megan McDonald

Weather

As Hurricane Helene Nears, the Potential for Flooding Looms

We talked to the executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program to learn more about potential flooding in the area.

09/24/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Hurricanes

Ahead of Helene, Sarasota County Announces Evacuations for Residents in Level A, Mobile Homes

The county will send out an evacuation alert for Level A and manufactured home communities starting Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 a.m.

09/24/2024 By Staff

Hurricanes

Tropical Storm Helene Takes Shape

We could see 24 hours or more of gale-force winds, 5 or more inches of rain, and storm surge after the eye passes.

09/23/2024 By Bob Bunting

Weather

DeSantis Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Tropical Cyclone Nine

The declaration affects 41 counties, including Sarasota and Manatee.

09/23/2024 By Staff

Weather

Where to Get Sandbags in Sarasota County and Manatee County

Ahead of Tropical Cyclone Nine, both counties have opened sandbag operations this week.

09/23/2024 By Staff

Grant Report

Embracing Our Differences Receives $25,000 Strategic Partnership Grant

Plus, Satchel's Last Resort raised more than $48,000 with a Taylor Swift-themed "Eras Tour" event, and more.

09/16/2024 By Staff

Fast Track

Tom Edwards Named Executive Director of SRQ Strong

Plus, Barbara Ford-Coates was recognized for financial excellence by the Florida Tax Collectors Association, and more.

09/16/2024 By Staff

On One Condition

The Owners of Mira Mar Plaza Want to Rehabilitate the Property While Adding Two 18-Story Towers Next Door

Whether the developer can navigate the necessary zoning changes and community concerns will determine the proposal's fate. An upcoming workshop will offer a chance for public feedback.

09/12/2024 By Kim Doleatto