Stats

GoFundMe Offered a Lifeline After Last Year’s Storms

Sarasota ranks high as a giving community.

09/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

10 Major Philanthropic Moments

From big gifts to grassroots campaigns, here are 10 of the year’s major philanthropic moments with huge community impact.

09/01/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Stronger Than the Storm

Thanks to Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, Newtown Homeowners Sheila and Johnnie Cantrell Are Ready to Weather Whatever Comes Next

“No matter what, I know we’re going to be OK for a while.”

09/01/2025 By Lauren Jackson

After the Storms

Ten Severely Hurricane-Damaged City Parks Are Now in the Permitting Phase of Recovery

Work is expected to begin in 2026.

08/04/2025 By Staff

Collateral Damage

What Are Natural Disasters Doing to Our Mental Health?

Hurricanes wreak havoc on our houses and businesses, but just as serious is the harm to our mental health.

05/30/2025 By Megan McDonald

Beach Renourishment

Barrier Island Hotels Reopen After Last Fall's Storms

Local resorts are bouncing back from last year’s hurricane season, and staycation season is the perfect time to book a room.

05/08/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Pretty Fly For A Mai Tai

O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill Is Back and Better Than Ever

The downtown Sarasota restaurant and bar closed in September after damage from Hurricane Helene’s historic storm surge. It reopened last weekend.

05/06/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Good News

Six Months After 2024's Catastrophic Hurricanes, Ted Sperling Park Has Reopened

The park sustained significant storm impacts and was also used to help manage storm debris from the Lido Key community.

03/17/2025 By Staff

Waste Water

The Historic Hurricane Season Flexed Its Muscles. A Suncoast Sewage Crisis Followed.

From the Manatee River to Sarasota Bay, 177.8 million gallons of wastewater were released last hurricane season.

02/26/2025 By Josh Salman/Suncoast Searchlight

After the Storm

After Hurricane Devastation, the Suncoast Is Grappling With a Category 5 Economic Storm

From the onset of Debby through the immediate aftermath of Milton, businesses across the Suncoast suffered $187 million in direct revenue losses from customers compared to the same three months the year before.

02/21/2025 By Josh Salman/Suncoast Searchlight

Let It Flow

Hurricanes Milton and Helene Reopened Midnight Pass

Now the question is: Should it stay open?

01/13/2025 By Megan McDonald

Hurricane Relief

The Deadline to Apply for FEMA Hurricane Relief Assistance Is Jan. 7

If you have damage from both storms, you will need to apply separately for both disasters.

01/06/2025 By Staff

Hurricane Relief

City of Sarasota Storm Debris Collection Concludes Tomorrow

The city’s storm debris collection contractors have collected 318,404 cubic yards, or 445,766 tons, of storm debris since the hurricanes made landfall.

12/19/2024 By Staff

Only in Sarasota

After the Hurricanes, Heavy-Duty Earth Movers Cleared the Roads

On Anna Maria Island, tractors pushed sand that had washed over the island’s main arteries into giant piles.

12/01/2024 Illustrations by John Pirman

Just Keep Swimming

Mote Aquarium Will Reopen Tomorrow—and Introduce Lou, a New Manatee, to the Public

After eight weeks of closure due to the back-to-back hurricanes, Mote will open its City Island aquarium tomorrow at 9 a.m.

11/21/2024 By Megan McDonald

Comeback Story

After Back-to-Back Hurricanes, the Local Tourism Industry Focuses on Recovery

The hospitality industry was devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but business owners and employees say they’re on the mend.

11/20/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Still Standing

After an Unprecedented Hurricane Season, Residents Say They're Determined to Come Back Stronger

We're sharing stories of tragedy and resilience and talking to residents and business owners about how the storms have upended their lives, their finances and their plans for the future.

11/20/2024