UPDATES: POST-STORM INFORMATION
Area-Wide
Catholic Charities to open Disaster Relief Distribution Points in Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee Counties
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice is opening disaster relief distribution points in Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee Counties to provide essential supplies to families and individuals affected by recent disasters.
The locations for distribution are:
Manatee County – Begins Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. (Every Wednesday and Saturday,10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
- 505 26th Street W, Palmetto, at Holy Cross Catholic Church
Sarasota County – Begins Friday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. (Every Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
- 833 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church
Lee County – Begins Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
- 4235 Michigan Link Ave., Ft. Myers, at the Elizabeth K. Galeana Building
- 28360 Beaumont Rd., Bonita Springs, at the Centro Juan Diego Building at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
Sanibel boil water advisory has been rescinded (Monday, 2:45 p.m.)
Community Cooperative opens pop-up pantry for Fort Myers Beach
WHAT:
Community Cooperative collaborates with Fort Myers Beach Strong for a pop-up mobile food pantry providing emergency groceries and essential resources for community members affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This initiative aims to support those facing food insecurity in the aftermath of these devastating storms. All community members are welcome to attend and receive assistance.
WHERE:
Fort Myers Beach, 820 Buttonwood Drive
WHEN:
Monday, October 14, 2024.
TIME:
11:00AM – 1PM
WHO:
Community Cooperative is a non-profit human service agency whose mission is to end hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida. With the collaboration of their community partners to reach those in need of assistance.
WHY:
In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many in our community are facing unprecedented challenges, including food insecurity and loss of essential supplies. This mobile food pantry is designed to provide immediate relief and support to those who have been impacted, helping families regain access to the resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
Free childcare today and Tuesday for Sanibel School students: Sanibel Recreation Center will provide from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 239-472-0345.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates will re-open the entire site on Tuesday, October 15, after being closed for a few days following Hurricane Milton. The historic landmark includes the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, the botanic research laboratory (a National Historic Chemical Landmark), the 15,000-square-foot museum, and more than 20 acres of botanical gardens.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m., visitors have a chance to go behind-the-scenes during the Inside-the-Homes Tour. Led by curatorial staff and expert historians, the tour takes guests through normally-closed areas of Edison's and Ford's winter homes. Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesdays; reservations can be made for the Thursday tour by calling 239-335-3674. Tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for teens (ages 13-19), and $20 for children (ages 6-12). Estates' members receive 50 percent off the Inside-the-Homes Tour.
Site historians offer Guided Tours several times each day, or visitors may stroll the property at their own pace on a Self-Guided Tour, using the app and a map, which is available in Chinese, English, French, German and Spanish. Tickets for the Self-Guided Tour are $25 for adults, $20 for teens (ages 13-19), and $15 for children (ages 6-12). Children five and younger are admitted free. Guided Tour tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for teens (ages 13-19), and $18 for children (ages 6-12). For additional information about the site, visit EdisonFord.org.
Sarasota County
Water service has been restored as of Monday to city of Sarasota customers on the barrier islands, including Bird Key, St. Armands Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key.
Utilities crews have been hard at work repairing a multitude of water lines damaged by Hurricane Milton. The water distribution system on the mainland was stabilized to allow for water to be turned on for the barrier islands.
A precautionary boil water advisory is in place for approximately 72 hours, or until test results are clear.
Lee Health
Following Hurricane Milton, Lee Health is resuming standard operation with a few important notes.
- Beginning Monday, October 14, here is the list of Lee Physician Group office closures and relocations:
- Bonita Bay Primary Care & Adult Rehab - Primary Care Seeing patients at the LH Coconut Point office
- Sanibel Primary Care office - Seeing patients at the LPG Bass Rd Primary Care office
- Peds Rehab Naples YMCA
Charlotte County
Call center hours: The Charlotte County Emergency Management Operations Call Center has returned to regular hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Call Center number is 941-833-4000.
Current information and a daily resource sheet can be found at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.
Storm debris dashboard: Charlotte County has launched an online storm debris removal dashboard to keep residents updated on cleanup efforts after Hurricane Milton. The dashboard provides real-time information on debris removal progress, including an interactive map showing cubic yardage for any selected location. The dashboard is available online at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/debris.
Charlotte County Community Development has done an initial damage assessment and affected properties have been tagged with notifications of the condition by a placard placed on the structure.
Parks reopen: The following Charlotte County Parks have reopened, however all boat ramps, playgrounds and sport fields remain closed:
- Allapatchee Shores
- Audubon-Pennington
- Bissett Community Park
- Butterford Park
- Centennial Fishing Pier
- Charlotte Flatwoods Environmental Park
- Darst Park
- Deep Creek Park
- Edgewater Park
- Englewood East Park
- GC Herring Park
- Harbour Heights Park
- Higgs Park
- Lake Betty Park
- Maracaibo Park
- McGuire Park (not splashpad)
- Midway Park
- Ollies Pond Park
- Randy Spence Park
- Riverside Park
- Rotonda Community Park
- San Domingo Park
- South Gulf Cove Park
- Spring Lake Park
- St. Paul Linear Park
- Tippecanoe Environmental Park
- Tippecanoe 2 Environmental Park
- Tringali Park
- William R Gaines Junior Veterans Memorial Park
Back to school — A message from Superintendent of Schools Mark Vianello:
“I am pleased to announce that our schools will reopen on Monday, October 14, for a teacher workday, and Tuesday, October 15 for students.
We know the past few days have been challenging, and I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your resilience and commitment to our school community. The safety and well-being of our staff and students have been, and always will remain, our highest priority. Thanks to our team’s hard work and dedication, our facilities are ready to welcome everyone back.
Please remember that mental health support is available if you or anyone else needs assistance. We are here for you and look forward to reconnecting as we prepare for a positive return to school.”
No debris around utilities: The Charlotte County Utilities Department reminds residents not to place trash or debris around fire hydrants, backflow preventers, water sample stations, automated flushers, valve covers or water meter boxes.
For recovery information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Charlotte County has lifted the curfew that was enacted earlier this week, with the exception of the barrier islands.
The curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily remains in effect for Manasota Key, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro, Knight Island, Thornton Key, Sandpiper Key and Palm Island until further notice. Violations of the curfew are considered misdemeanors.
The ban on sales of alcoholic beverages has been lifted for all areas.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), with support from Charlotte County, has established a public fuel depot at Charlotte Sports Park, located at 2300 El Jobean Rd. in Port Charlotte. The site is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice to assist residents in their recovery efforts. Each vehicle is limited to 10 gallons of fuel.
Water, tarps and MREs: Charlotte County has opened three distribution centers with water, tarps and MREs. The points of distribution are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or while supplies last at the following locations:
* Port Charlotte Town Center, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte in Macy’s parking lot
* Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 N Access Road, Englewood
* Parking lot of the former Muscle Car City Museum, 10175 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda
Charlotte County Transit will provide rides to distribution centers. To make a reservation, call 941-833-4000.
Sandbag disposal: Properly dispose of your sandbags following Hurricane Milton.
Clean sandbags should be stored and reused for future storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30, with most major storms occurring between mid-August and late October. It’s best to store sandbags in a cool, dry area indoors or under cover.
To dispose of clean sandbags, spread the sand on lawns or landscape beds. Place the empty bags in your garbage bin (not in a recycling bin).
Do not put sand or full sandbags in your regular trash or yard waste. Do not mix sandbags with yard debris for disposal. The sand is abrasive, and damages equipment used to grind yard debris into mulch.
Collier County
Minimize water usage: After Hurricane Milton, Collier and Lee counties have asked residents to minimize water usage due to impacts on local water systems. Both counties are monitoring water levels and system operations closely. The South Florida Water Management District issued a water shortage warning, urging conservation to ensure water supplies remain stable during the recovery period.
Hurricane Milton FEMA Individual Assistance Program: Collier County residents who experienced property damage from Hurricane Milton are encouraged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA or www.disasterassistance.gov.
The Individual Assistance program assists with the repair and replacement of damaged homes and businesses and provides temporary housing, food, and other essential services to impacted residents.
Please note: If your home or business was impacted by both Hurricane Helene and Milton, you must report damages and apply for assistance for each hurricane separately.
Lee County
Chemical collection event: Pine Island residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The collection event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phillips Community Park, 5675 Sesame Drive. Drop-off is an easy, drive-through process available to all residents at no charge.
Businesses that need chemical waste disposal can call MXI Environmental Services at 276-477-0947 to schedule an appointment for the monthly business collection held at the county’s permanent Household Chemical Waste drop-off location, 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers.
Lee County Solid Waste reminds residents to be aware of proper battery disposal. Please bring all rechargeable or lithium-ion batteries to the collection event or to the Topaz Court facility. Do not throw rechargeable batteries in with your regular garbage service.
An increasing number of products contain lithium-ion batteries, which can be hazardous when disposed of improperly. Lithium-ion batteries are found in these common products along with others:
- Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets and Bluetooth devices
- Power tools
- Game controllers
- Digital cameras
- Portable power packs
- Greeting cards
- Electric toothbrushes
- Toys
- E-bikes, e-scooters and hover boards
Visit Household Chemical Waste Collection Events (leegov.com) for more information.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Temporary permitting office open: The Lee County Department of Community Development will open a temporary, remote permit office at the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, beginning Oct. 16 to allow residents to obtain permits for repairs to existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
The remote location means staff will be readily accessible to help island residents navigate the permit process, especially those residents without internet service.
The remote permit office will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of October. Hours at the remote permit office will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note: It will not be open on Tuesday this week, because it does not start until Wednesday, Oct. 16.)
Residents acting as their own contractor can submit permit applications, have them reviewed and – in some cases – issued from the remote office. The applicants need only a description of the work and their address, and staff will walk them through the process.
Hired contractors are asked to continue to use the existing electronic permitting process. Residents seeking a full demolition or complete replacement of a structure still need to visit the main Department of Community Development permitting office at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
Lee County Government is reminding residents in unincorporated areas to pull permits for work on their homes to repair storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Any unincorporated Lee County residents or businesses within the Special Flood Hazard Area with any damage to their homes or businesses, including water intrusion, must obtain a permit for all repairs. Email FIRMinfo@leegov.com for assistance with permit requirements and resources, and be sure to include the following information:
- Contact information
- Property address
- Type of damage
- Height of the water that entered the home
Residents also can find more information at www.leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery or by calling 239-533-8948.
The county may add additional temporary, remote permitting office locations elsewhere in unincorporated Lee County as needed.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
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School news:
The Lee County School District anticipates that they will be able to open all School and District buildings for regular operations on Monday, October 14, with the exception of those sites mentioned below. While we expect all issues to be resolved, should any last minute concerns arise at any sites, relevant staff and families will be notified with updated information tomorrow.
That said, the storm did cause water intrusion and damage to Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and the Sanibel School. These schools will need additional time for proper remediation. Our team is working on a temporary relocation plan for the students and staff at these sites which will be communicated directly to those affected on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Debris from gated communities: Hurricane Milton recovery efforts are underway across Lee County, including gated communities.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners has requested FEMA to authorize collection of debris from gated communities in order to protect the health and safety of residents. FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with Lee County before any disaster debris recovery crews are allowed to enter the community. Lee County has an easy online process for submitting the necessary paperwork.
Forms are available for communities located within unincorporated Lee County: Click here to access the ROE Form. If you are unsure if your community has a current right of entry form on file, call your community association manager or homeowners association president call 239-533-8000.
What do residents of gated communities need to do?
- Get debris to the curb for collection crews.
- Do not collect and consolidate debris in common areas; it may not be eligible for collection unless it remains in front of your home.
- Keep separate piles for yard debris, construction and demolition debris including furniture, appliances and electronics. See www.leegov.com/solidwaste or www.leegov.com/storm for more information and a diagram of proper set out.
- Do not place bagged yard waste in your debris piles.
- It’s important to know that the contractor will not collect mixed piles and black-bagged debris.
- Be patient.
Remember, all work done in unincorporated Lee County to repair a storm-damaged structure requires a permit from the Lee County Department of Community Development. Email: FIRMinfo@leegov.com.
Lee DOH: All Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) offices will reopen with regular operation hours on Monday, October 14, 2024.
For more information, please call DOH-Lee at 239-332-9501.
FSW PreView postponed: Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) has postponed its PreView FSW Fall Open House, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, in response to the impact of Hurricane Milton. This decision was made to allow our students, staff, and the community the time they need to recover and focus on their well-being in the aftermath of the storm.
A new date for the event will be announced soon. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to reschedule. For the latest information and updates, please visit FSW.edu/Openhouse.
All Lee County Tax Collector Offices will reopen starting Monday, October 14, 2024, with extended hours for those customers whose appointments were cancelled due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
All offices will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for the next two weeks (Monday, October 14 – Friday, October 18 and Monday, October 21 – Friday, October 25).
Every day, the hour from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. will be reserved for customers whose appointments were cancelled due to the hurricanes. In addition, we will be opening all locations on Saturday, October 19, and Saturday October 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. exclusively for those whose appointments were cancelled. Proof of appointment will be required during these extended hours.
Customers will be contacted directly via email and/or text message with this information and can use that communication as confirmation when they come to our office.
Those renewing a vehicle, vessel, or mobile home registration, applying for or updating business tax information, buying specialty plates or vouchers, or renewing a Florida Driver License or ID may save time by doing so online at LeeTC.com/pay-online.
The Lee County Department of Transportation asks that motorists limit travel as much as possible to allow the power companies to work.
Solid Waste
- Storm debris pickup will begin at sunrise Monday.
- The most important task is to put Hurricane Milton debris to the curb for collection crews.
- Keep separate piles for yard debris, construction and demolition debris including furniture, appliances and electronics. Visit www.leegov.com/storm for a diagram of proper set out procedures.
- Do not use black plastic bags for Hurricane Milton debris. This is a strict FEMA regulation. Following it will ensure the county can be reimbursed for debris removal, which saves local taxpayer dollars.
- Gated communities must have a current Right of Entry form on file. These must be provided annually. Call 239-533-8000 with any questions.
- Be patient. The county will conduct multiple passes until all debris is collected.
- The county’s debris-management sites are being cleared of Helene debris and mobilized for Milton.
Parks and Recreation
- Staff continues to evaluate sites.
- Visit www.leeparks.org and www.leegov.com/storm.
- The start of the popular Fall Festival at Lakes Park has been delayed. This includes the Halloween Express, Pumpkin Patch and Scarecrows in the Park. Monitor the park's website for updates on when it will begin.
Community Development.
- Get a permit for hurricane repairs.
- Especially unincorporated residents in coastal areas and areas that typically flood.
- Residents or businesses within the Special Flood Hazard Area with any damage to their homes or businesses, including water intrusion.
- You must obtain a permit for all repairs.
- Email FIRMinfo@leegov.com or call 239 533-8948
- If you’re in a municipality, contact the appropriate entity for permit assistance.
Check www.leegov.com/storm for Hurricane Milton updates. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Minimize water usage: After Hurricane Milton, Collier and Lee Counties in Southwest Florida have asked residents to minimize water usage due to impacts on local water systems. Both counties are monitoring water levels and system operations closely. The South Florida Water Management District issued a water shortage warning, urging conservation to ensure water supplies remain stable during the recovery period
Blind Pass Bridge open with ID: Blind Pass Bridge connecting Captiva Island to Sanibel is open for residents. Lee County's Department of Transportation is actively working on Captiva to clear sand from the roadways. A valid I.D., proof of property ownership, and valid re-entry pass from the City of Sanibel are required for re-entry.
Sanibel
The sanitary sewer system has been restored for residential and business use. We ask that you please use conservatively as lift stations continue to be brought online.
A boil water notice is still in effect for Sanibel and Captiva.
Fort Myers Beach
Effective October 13, 2024, the curfew previously put in place for Hurricane Milton, of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., has been lifted.
Highlands County
Schools to open Monday: District administrators and school leaders met this morning, and based on the assessment of all campuses, Highlands County schools will reopen on Monday, October 14. Superintendent Longshore has been in regular communication with Duke Energy and Glades Electric, and they are confident that all sites will have power well in advance of Monday morning. Power is being restored across the county and it is anticipated that most residents will have power by Monday. We do understand that there may be some still impacted on Monday. In times like these it is always a priority to reopen schools as quickly as possible so that parents can return to work, children can be fed, and so that our staff can check in with students and families to assess any needs they may have as a result of the storm.
A special thank you to all of the lineworkers who have been working around the clock to restore power to our community!
https://www.facebook.com/Highlandsfl.gov/
For storm updates, call the Citizen Hotline at 863-402-6800 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or visit https://bit.ly/HC-StormUpdates
- Charlotte County Public Safety has resumed emergency response to calls following Hurricane Milton. This includes the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte County Fire & EMS, b and Englewood Fire Department.
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Charlotte County
An observation From WGCU reporter Mike Walcher:
"Fish washed out of a lake at Lakewood Village community in Punta Gorda. When the water went down, the fish were stranded at a storm drain. A handyman put the fish back in the lake right after we took these pictures.
People here told us. - no water in any homes. Some lanais had water. Fortunate. So far not seeing anything major in damage."
Report storm damage: Charlotte County has an online Self-Reporting Storm Damage system to help us collect damage assessments. Visit www.tinyurl.com/reportingdamage, enter your address, select the type of damage and add a photo. If possible, include high water marks when reporting damage.
Please follow all safety guidelines for flooded areas when taking photos, stay on higher ground, avoid contact with flood waters, and do not drive on flooded roads.
Reporting damage in this system gets the information to county departments quickly and eliminates the need to call it in. The information will help the county compile an extensive list of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton.
Do understand that by self-reporting this information to the county, you are simply assisting the county with damage assessment information. You must still take whatever steps are necessary to report any damage to your insurance company or FEMA, etc.
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem.
The Charlotte County Commission Monthly Workshop and Utilities Quarterly Update meetings scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024, have been canceled.
Hendry County
Collier County
Collier County Public Schools will resume classes on Monday, October 14,. All CCPS sites have power and are ready to welcome students and staff. Due to the missed time from Hurricane Milton, we are moving the end of Quarter 1 back one week. Therefore, the Teacher Planning Day (originally scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024) will now be on Friday, October 25, 2024. As a result, students will go to school on Friday, October 18, 2024, and will not attend school on Friday, October 25, 2024.
All District leases and after school activities will resume as scheduled on Monday, October 14, 2024.
As our community continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Milton, we understand every family has unique circumstances and concerns. If you feel it is in the best interest of your child(ren) to stay home, we fully respect your decision. We kindly ask that you communicate with your child(ren)’s school to validate the absence. This will ensure we maintain clear lines of communication.
In order to meet the Florida Department of Education’s instructional requirements, CCPS is evaluating our Academic Calendar in terms of Hurricane Make-Up Days. Any additional changes to the Academic Calendar will be announced once a decision is made by the School Board.
Curbside Collection
Residents may place garbage, recycling, small piles of yard waste, and bulky items curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day. Place garbage and recycling in carts only – no loose bags will be collected. Keep curbside collection separated from hurricane debris by at least three feet.
Yard waste bundles, yard waste paper bags, and personal containers are limited to 10 per collection. Bundles must weigh less than 50 pounds, be secured with twine, and be no longer than 4 feet. Branches may not be larger than 4 inches in diameter. Use ONLY paper yard waste bags or paper grocery bags. Plastic bags will not be accepted. Place all leaves, grass, and other trimmings in bags. You may use 45-gallon personal containers that weigh less than 50 pounds when filled. The yard waste may not extend more than 12 inches over the top of the container.
Hurricane Debris
Place debris generated by Hurricane Milton curbside, at least three feet apart, in separate piles of yard waste, construction and demolition (furniture, carpet), household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and appliances. Do not mix waste piles. Debris will be collected by a separate hauler than the usual garbage hauler. When placing curbside, avoid blocking the road, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, and fire hydrants.
North Port
The City of North Port is continuing its recovery from Hurricane Milton.
Tactical First-In Teams (T-FIT) have completed an initial assessment and cleared major roads and emergency routes in North Port. North Port Fire Rescue and North Port Police Department have resumed normal operations for emergency response.
Sarasota County
Public Drop-Off Sites for Vegetative Storm Debris:
Sarasota County is establishing public drop-off sites for vegetative storm debris that will be available for free to all county residents including both unincorporated and municipal residents. We expect to provide the locations, dates, and times of operation by mid-week.
Storm Debris Collection:
On Monday, Oct. 14, debris vendors will resume collection of both construction and vegetative debris in unincorporated Sarasota County. The vendors will begin collection on the barrier islands and other areas in the Level A evacuation level. In the coming weeks, all unincorporated areas of Sarasota County will have collection by these vendors.
Regular Collection:
Garbage, recycling and yard waste collections for residents in unincorporated Sarasota County have resumed regular collection schedules for roadways that are accessible to collection vehicles. Properly prepared yard waste (no plastic bags) will be collected as part of normal collection. Remember to place recycling carts separately from other materials so that collection vehicles can access them. This collection will continue on Monday. If your pick-up day is Monday, then you’re scheduled to receive service Monday.
Residents may experience delays in collection services due to an increase in the amount of garbage and yard waste placed curbside over the upcoming weeks. Please leave materials curbside if they are not collected on your regularly scheduled day.
Central County Landfill:
The landfill, located at 4000 Knights Trail Road, will be open for normal operations on Monday.
MISSING PERSONS?
If you need help connecting with your loved ones after Hurricane Milton, the American Red Cross can assist you. The Reunification Plan tools can help if assistance is needed locating a missing friend or relative because of a current disaster.
Call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. Alternatively, submit your information via online form at forms.juvare.com/ARC_HQ-Find-FL-Milton.
Bonita Springs
Keep the batteries away from anything that can catch fire. If your vehicle has a lithium ion battery, relocate the vehicle from your garage. For more information visit https://loom.ly/PrI6LdQ
Community Resources
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Food safety after a power outage
In the case of an electrical outage, it is important to take careful precautions to ensure food safety. Discard any perishable food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more and any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Not all spoiled food will have an unusual odor, color, or texture, so just remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
Basic tips for keeping food safe:
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
- A full freezer will keep temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
- Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time.
- If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs while they are still at safe temperatures, each item must be thoroughly cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to ensure any foodborne bacteria present are destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40º F for 2 hours or more (or 1 hour if temperatures are above 90 º F) — discard it.
Once power is restored, determine the safety of your food:
- Check the freezer temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
- If there is no thermometer in the freezer, check each package of food - if the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
- If the power was out for no more than 4 hours, refrigerated food should be safe if the doors were kept closed. When the power comes back on, discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for 4 hours or more. Perishable foods that are at 45°F or below (measured with a food thermometer) should be safe but should be cooked and consumed as soon as possible.
- Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, Manatee County is strongly advising all residents to avoid entering damaged buildings and homes until they have been inspected by certified professionals. Structural damage caused by the storm may not always be visible, posing significant risks to those who attempt to enter too soon.
Always put safety first:
- Do Not Enter Damaged Buildings: Residents should refrain from entering any homes or buildings that have suffered visible damage, such as collapsed walls, roofs, or flooding, until a formal safety inspection has been completed.
- Signs of Instability: Be vigilant for signs of instability, including leaning walls, cracked foundations, or sagging roofs. These indicators can point to a high risk of collapse, even if the building appears to be stable at first glance.
Make Sure to Inspect and Assess:
- Structural Assessments Required: Manatee has dispatched professional inspectors to assess the safety of homes and buildings throughout the affected area. Residents should wait for the official green light from inspectors before re-entering any damaged structure.
- Safety Hazards: Beyond structural integrity, damaged buildings may have compromised electrical wiring, gas leaks, or other hazards that can put lives at risk.
Important Safety Reminders:
- Stay Alert: Do not ignore signs of damage, even minor ones. Small cracks or tilts may signal larger, hidden damage.
- Report Unsafe Buildings: If you encounter a building or home that appears unsafe or is at risk of collapse, immediately report it to [Local Authority Name] or call [City Hotline/Local Emergency Number].
As recovery efforts continue, the safety of residents and visitors is a top priority. Manatee County will continue to keep the public updated as damage assessments are completed and when it is safe to re-enter homes and buildings. We urge all residents to exercise caution and patience during this time.
Please continue to monitor local news and weather broadcasts as well as the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County at is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.
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