Live updates: Thousands are still without power as Sarasota-Manatee begins a long recovery (2024)

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READ SATURDAY'S LIVE BLOG FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

• Hurricane Helene reopened Midnight Pass.
• Sarasota and Manatee counties will reopen schools.
• Thousands are still without power in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
• When will your trash be picked up?
• What happened to sea turtle nests?
• What is the status of each barrier island?

8:20 p.m.: “It's not going to be the same as what you left." Anna Maria Island devastated, Manatee County reports major damage

Authorities say Anna Maria Island took the brunt of the damage in the county, and could potentially remain closed to non-residents through the weekend.

"The beaches have been dramatically affected by unprecedented storm surge from 5 to 7 feet along the coast," said Manatee County Commission Chairman Mike Rahn.

"Gulf Drive is closed, it's unpassable," he said. "The islands remain closed, so if you don't live there and you are trying to get on the island they are not going to let you on. Also, there has been a sunset-to-sunrise curfew on the islands."

District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said nearly every ground-level home and business on AMI was flooded, and Gulf Drive is under feet of sand. Florida Department of Transportation crews are working to clear debris from the roads.

Read the story.

8 p.m.: 37,000 still without power in Sarasota and Manatee counties

There are still tens of thousands without power in Sarasota and Manatee counties after Hurricane Helene, according to the Florida Power and Light Power Tracker site.

Since 7:30 a.m. today, FPL has restored power to about 27,000 customers in Sarasota County and almost 19,000 in Manatee County.

That still leaves about 16,000 without power in Sarasota County and over 21,000 without power in Manatee, according to the tracker.

FPL offers "Outage Relief Sites" that offer charging stations, wi-fi, water and information for anyone without power. Find the nearest one here.

7:45 p.m.: Amazing video shows how bad the flooding is on St. Armands Circle

This video was taken by the Sarasota Police Department at around 4 p.m., when the flooding in St. Armands Circle was still over a foot deep.

4:15 p.m.: What is the status of Casey Key, Siesta Key, Bird Key, Lido Key/St. Armands, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island?

The barrier islands of Sarasota and Manatee counties were hit especially hard by the intense storm surge of Hurricane Helene. As a result, most of them haven't even been opened for residents to return and the restoration of basic services could take days, or longer.

Even when a barrier island has been reopened, officials are asking people who do not need to be there to stay away, so that public works teams have free access to clear debris and restore services.

Here is the current status of the barrier islands in the Sarasota-Manatee area:

• Manasota Key: Roads have not been cleared. Water service has been restored; there is a boil-water notice until tests show the water is safe to drink.
• Casey Key: Some roads have not been cleared, especially north of Blackburn Point Road. Water service has not been restored.
• Siesta Key: Residents are allowed back on the island. Water service has not been restored for Sarasota County customers. Water service will be restored Friday afternoon for City of Sarasota customers, with a boil-water notice until tests show the water is safe to drink.
• Bird Key: Residents are allowed back on the island. Water service will be restored Friday afternoon, with a boil-water notice until tests show the water is safe to drink.
• Lido Key/St. Armands: No one has been allowed back on the island. Water service has not been restored.
• Longboat Key: No one has been allowed back on the island. Water service has not been restored.
• Anna Maria Island: No one has been allowed back on the island. Water service has not been restored.

3:30 p.m.: What happened to sea turtle nests on Sarasota-Manatee beaches after Hurricane Helene?

After losing about 200 turtle nests to Hurricane Debby, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said there were eight nests left on the beach before Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc Thursday.

While they haven’t been able to get on the island to assess the fate of the nests, based on the damage she’s seen online, Mazzarella believes those nests are most likely gone.

It’s not a great way to end the season, Mazzarrella said.

Despite the losses this year, including the eggs that didn’t hatch despite not being washed away by Debby, the organization said there were 685 nests and almost 21,000 hatchlings in 2024. It’s similar to the 2023 numbers which saw around 22,000 hatchlings and 400 nests.

Mazzarella added that several volunteers who live on the island are alright since they evacuated before the storm arrived. While they know there is most likely damage to their homes and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch office, it’s unclear to what extent.

The biggest concern now, Mazzarella said, is with the community which has provided so much support for the organization and the turtles.

“As soon as we can get out there, we will see how we can help (the community),” Mazzarella said.

3 p.m.: Which waterfront restaurants were damaged by Hurricane Helene in Sarasota and Manatee?

Hurricane Helene caused major damage to many of the most beloved waterfront restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties, includingone of our region's oldest dining destinations.

We’ve begun compiling a list of these restaurants located on or near the water, with information gathered largely from their social media, noting whether they are open, closed, or damaged from the storm or subsequent floodwaters.

Read the story.

2:15 p.m.: When will your trash be picked up in Sarasota, Manatee, Bradenton, Venice, North Port, Holmes Beach and Palmetto?

Manatee County areas:

• Manatee County: Residents whose typical trash collection occurs on Thursday will have their refuse removed on Friday, if the hauler has access to the property.Friday's collections schedule will be picked up on Saturday.
• Bradenton:Solid waste collection has resumed with a one-day delay.Thursday’s missed collection will happen on Friday, and regular Friday collection will be on Saturday. Officials anticipate storm debris contractors deploying on Monday to survey the area and begin pickup on Tuesday.
• Palmetto:Because the City’s waste management contractor didn’t work Thursday because of the weather, the regular trash pickup has moved back a day. As of Friday, the city doesn’t have a schedule set yet for storm debris removal. City staff is working on a plan and will announce dates as soon as possible.
• Holmes Beach:Waste Pro will begin collecting household trash only on Saturday at 7 a.m. The city is hoping to begin picking up storm debris next week.

Sarasota County areas:

• Sarasota County:All solid waste collection services are anticipated to resume on Friday for residents living in unincorporated Sarasota County. Officials are assessing damage throughout the community to determine if debris collection contractors will be activated and what materials will be collected as storm debris.
• Sarasota:Solid waste collection has resumed with a one-day delay.Thursday’s missed collection will happen on Friday, and regular Friday collection will be on Saturday.
• Venice: Collection of trash, recyclables and properly prepared yard waste has resumed on Friday for residential customers.
• North Port:Solid Waste has resumed collection in the City of North Port. Customers whose regular collection day was Thursday will have their trash and recycling picked up on Friday. Regular Friday collections will be delayed until Saturday.

2 p.m.: Sarasota County Schools will reopen on Monday

The Sarasota County School District announced that all traditional public schools and offices will reopen on Monday, Sept. 30.

In an announcement, Superintendent Terry Connor acknowledged that the extent of the damage might create some difficulties on Monday, especially when it comes to transportation.

"Many coastal areas in the county still have standing water and damage to roads, and we know this will likely cause transportation difficulties for our team members and families alike. Families, if your child usually walks or bikes to school, please make sure it is still safe for them to do so. Fortunately, the majority of our school bus routes and stops are okay; however, if your child’s usual bus stop is flooded or otherwise inaccessible, please contact our Transportation department at 941-486-2141 or the district’s Operations and Communication Center (OCC) at 941-966-7233(SAFE) and we will work on setting up alternative stops."

1:45 p.m.: Power slowly being restored in Sarasota and Manatee counties after Hurricane Helene

According to the Florida Power and Light Power Tracker site, service is being slowly restored to some of the thousands who lost power in Sarasota and Manatee counties after Hurricane Helene.

Since 7:30 a.m. today, FPL has restored power to about 11,000 customers in Sarasota County and 3,500 in Manatee County.

That still leaves over 32,000 without power in Sarasota County and 37,000 without power in Manatee, according to the tracker.

FPL offers "Outage Relief Sites" that offer charging stations, wi-fi, water and information for anyone without power. Find the nearest one here.

12:50 p.m.: Scenes from Siesta Key the morning after Hurricane Helene

Sara Sea Condominium building has three steps leading to the first-floor units. Larry Cannon, a former condo board member and a full time resident at the Siesta Key condo, said the rising water stopped just at the top of the third step preventing catastrophic flooding at the property.

“We got lucky,” he said.

Several other condo buildings further south and closer to the coast didn’t fare as well with most of the buildings on Sara Sea Circle flooding Wednesday night.

***

Tana Anderson, co-owner of the Crescent Beach Market on Siesta Key, pushes water toward a pump Friday morning. She, her husband and her brother started cleaning up Friday morning after the storm surge from Hurricane Helene.

***

Boris, Ilan and Laura (last name not given) walk toward the Stickney Point Bridge as they leave Siesta Key Friday morning following Hurricane Helene. The family was on their fourth day of vacation and said they had no warning about the storm. When their apartment began to flood Thursday night, they abandoned their belongings and left, and spent the night in a nearby laundromat.

"Now, we're looking for a place to stay. This is a vacation we will never forget," Laura said, with a smile

- Derek Gilliam, Mike Lang

12:10 p.m.: Sarasota County Sheriff's Office only allowing Siesta Key residents back to island

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office sent out an announcement that the bridges to Siesta Key are only open for residents of the island or owners of a business on the island, with a valid ID.

11:35 a.m.: Drone video shows Siesta Key flooding the day after Hurricane Helene

11:18 a.m.: Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands 'closed temporarily' due to Hurricane Helene

Columbia, which opened in 1959 and isSarasota's oldest full-service restaurant, is among themany St. Armands Circle businesses that sustained major flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, along with its sister restaurant, Cha Cha Coconuts, which opened in 1989 and is located next door on St. Armands Circle's namesake street.

"Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota and Cha Cha Coconuts next door are closed indefinitely," reads the post on Cha Cha Coconuts' Facebook page,published at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.

Read the complete story here.

11 a.m.: Hurricane Helene reopened Midnight Pass on Siesta Key

Multiple social media posts have shown that Midnight Pass at the south end of Siesta Key - closed for decades and the target of many passionate campaigns intended to reopen it - has been opened through the impact of Hurricane Helene.

We asked Sarasota County if it was true.

"Staff confirmed that Hurricane Helene opened Midnight Pass," said Cole Washko, Sarasota County public information officer.

10:40 a.m.: Aerial video shows Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Helene

This video from Manatee County shows aerial views of Anna Maria Island on Friday morning. Anna Maria Island is still closed and people won't be allowed back until Holmes Beach Police have determined that it is safe to return.

10:30 a.m.: Sarasota Bradenton Airport is open and planes are flying

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is open and fully operational Thursday morning following Hurricane Helene with some flights already having arrived and departed.

The “Flight Status” page of the airport’s website indicates there are some delays and at least two canceled flights by Southwest Airlines to Baltimore and Nashville. The cancellations could be due to the weather from Hurricane Helene as the storm makes its way north through the Southeast.

Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of the airport, said there was minimal damage caused by the storm with only one downed tree and one door damaged. Piccolo added that all concessions, parking and rentals are operational and the flights are continuing as scheduled.

- Gabriela Szymanowska

10:25 a.m.: Manatee County update on Hurricane Helene aftermath

Manatee County is reporting serious effects from Hurricane Helene on Friday morning.

“We saw devastating damage along our beaches,” Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske said. “We had significant flooding across the county."

Storm surges peaked between 5.5 to 7 feet in coastal Manatee. Emergency operators answered more than 1,000 calls to 9-1-1 and responded to 400 calls for service. First responders rescued and evacuated more than 300 residents and tourists in locations like Anna Maria Island, Palmetto and unincorporated Manatee. The county has also received 4,200 calls to the 3-1-1 information hotline since Helene began.

Teams were dispatched at first light on Friday to begin recovery efforts, and crews are working to remove debris from roadways.

Water services to the City of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key remain suspended until crews verify the integrity of the drinking water system. The county is also assisting the City of Bradenton with ongoing drinking water woes, as the drinking water supply was compromised by saltwater during the storm surge. A series of interconnections have been made to share the county's water supply with the city.

Officials announced that trash pickup for residents who typically receive service on Thursday will receive service on Friday. Friday pick-ups will occur on Saturday. The Lena Road Landfill will open today. Residents are asked to separate storm debris and trash for removal.

“This is going to be an incredible long-term recovery operation,” Fiske said.” We are already working to get resources from the state. We are going to have points of distribution up throughout the county."

- Jesse Mendoza

10:20 a.m.: Which roads are closed in Sarasota and Manatee counties?

Both Manatee and Sarasota counties have sites available to find road closures due to Hurricane Helene.

• Sarasota County Hurricane Helene reporting
• Manatee County emergency road closures

10:10 a.m.: Sarasota County and City of Sarasota update on Hurricane Helene aftermath

Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota urged residents to avoid the barrier islands after Hurricane Helene sent storm surge and heavy winds into the area Thursday evening.

Chris Goglia, president of the St. Armands Residents Association, said in an email blast he had been told by locals there was flooding in the area’s northwest and northeast quadrants, as well as in St. Armands Circle itself.

“I've heard that there are storefronts with broken glass and that merchandise is floating in the streets,” Goglia said. “People who have lived on the islands for a very long time are telling me that they've never seen anything like this.”

St. Armands Circle Merchants Association is advocating for a phased reopening of the area - with only merchants, residents, local authorities, and designated contractors and services provided access to the key first, according to Goglia’s statement.

Longboat Key officials said Friday morning that water service is down on the island. There are widespread power outages and reports of damaged property, vehicles and roads that remain “blocked, flooded, and under unsafe conditions.”

A City of Sarasota spokesperson said the John Ringling Bridge was still closed as of Friday morning, though Bird Key residents are being allowed limited access. City officials were unable to comment on Hurricane Helene’s effect at Lido Key as damage assessments were underway.

City parking enforcement has resumed on the mainland. The Bay Runner will suspend operations until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche said his department conducted several rescues and two arrests during the storm.

“As daybreak comes, we have officers out right now. We’re checking the area of Siesta and we’re also checking St. Armands,” Troche said.

The chief said SPD is using drones to access flooded areas.

Charlotte County Emergency Management announced that the northbound and southbound bridges on U.S. Highway 41 were reopened Friday morning.

Jane Grogg, the Breeze transit director for Sarasota County, said in a statement Friday morning that her department is evaluating the availability of their staff, vehicles, and routes to resume services safely.

Local officials reported after the storm that roadways throughout Sarasota County were flooded and many traffic signals were damaged.

- Christian Casale

9:50 a.m.: Bird Key residents can cross bridge, north Siesta Key bridge reopens

People are now being allowed across the John Ringling Causeway, as long as they have proof they live on Bird Key, according to the City of Sarasota. They have also reopened the north bridge to Siesta Key at Siesta Drive.

Sarasota is still not allowing access to St. Armands Key, Lido Key or Longboat Key.

9:30 a.m.: Sarasota Police drone video shows heavy flooding on St. Armands

This drone video from the Sarasota Police Department, taken this morning, shows heavy flooding from storm surge throughout St. Armands Circle.

8:50 a.m.: Town of Longboat Key urges residents to shelter in place due to unsafe conditions

The Town of Longboat Key has asked residents to stay off the roads and shelter at home while roadways are cleared and crews begin damage assessment after Hurricane Helene.

"Our first priority is search and rescue of residents," reads the release. "Please remain sheltered in place and off roadways due to the unsafe conditions."

8:30 a.m.: Friday storm surge is still a danger in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Stormwater surge impacts from Hurricane Helene should still be felt in Sarasota and Manatee counties through Friday afternoon, according to the 7 a.m. briefing by the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

There is still a low chance of flooding rain from Tampa Bay south and hazardous marine conditions remain through the weekend.

The threat level from storm surge remains significant, according to the report.

Storm surge for Sarasota and Manatee counties is projected at 3 to 5 feet above the mean high water line today.

A storm surge of 6.04 feet was recorded at Port Manatee at 12:30 a.m. Friday but had not yet peaked.

A tide gauge in Venice recorded a surge height of 5.38 feet late Thursday night.

Sarasota County officials were just starting to assess storm impacts at daybreak and urge caution because of downed power lines and trees.

Sarasota County first responders are actively engaging in life saving operations and have called in additional resources to help. There are still areas inaccessible because of high flood water.

City of Venice first responders assisted in the rescues of 30 residents from coastal areas Thursday.

Venice spokeswoman Lorraine Anderson reported that as of 8:15 a.m., some roadways in coastal areas are still flooded from Hurricane Helene.

City teams are out Friday morning conducting door-to-door wellness checks and damage assessments.

Now a tropical storm with 70 mph winds, located 65 miles east of Macon Georgia, made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday night in Perry, Florida.

The highest recorded wind speed at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was 74 mph at 7:19 p.m. Thursday. A wind gust of 60 mph occurred at 8 p.m. in Bradenton.

A 69 mph wind gust was recorded in Venice at 3:55 p.m. Thursday.

While Sarasota Memorial Hospital's urgent care on St Armands Key will be closed Friday, all other urgent cares will be open Friday.

- Earle Kimel

7:45 a.m.: Local governments ask Sarasota-Manatee residents to stay off the roads, for now

If you do need to venture out onto local roads, you may have to avoid downed power lines, dodge debris and stay out of flooded areas. If you come across a non-functioning traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.

7:30 a.m.: Over 80,000 people without power in Sarasota and Manatee counties

According to the Florida Power and Light Power Tracker website, there are 43,450 people still without power in Sarasota County and 40,590 in Manatee County.

More than 180,000 have been without power in the two-county area due to Hurricane Helene, but crews have restored power to more than 100,000.

7 a.m.: Bridges to Siesta Key, Lido Key, Anna Maria Island and others are still closed to traffic

The north bridge of Siesta Key at Siesta Drive and the John Ringling Causeway remain closed. Access to Anna Maria Island via Cortez Road and Manatee Ave. is closed in both directions, according to Manatee County's emergency road closure map. The Skyway Bridge is also still closed to traffic.

6:30 a.m.: City of Bradenton urges residents to conserve water

Because of strains to water infrastructure due to Hurricane Helene storm surge, the City of Bradenton is asking residents to limit water usage today and tomorrow.