Latest Updates for Manatee

MANATEE COUNTY – As public officials, government employees, and residents across the county continue their response and clean-up after Hurricane Ian, local governments are providing updated information for residents and business owners.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, Manatee County staff had documented an estimated $56 million in residential damages and another $11.3 million in damages to commercial properties due to Hurricane Ian.

The county's downtown administration building was among area structures that sustained damage during the storm. The county reported that the northwest corner of the building's roof experienced a failure that resulted in water damage to all eight floors of the building. Some commissioner offices on the building's ninth floor were impacted, but sources told TBT the damages appeared mostly "messy" on Friday’s examination, and not catastrophic.

County PIO Bill Logan communicated via email that the building is safe to enter and Tuesday's BOCC regular meeting will be held as scheduled in Commission Chambers on the first floor. The meeting is scheduled to convene at 9:00 a.m.

Other Local Updates:

All School District of Manatee County Schools will remain closed on Monday, October 3rd, as district maintenance and custodial crews continue work to restore schools to working conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

As of Friday, more than 15 Manatee District schools were without power. District officials said that clean-up efforts, damage repairs, and restocking of food supplies at schools cannot begin until power has been fully restored.

In addition, the district cited infrastructure needs such as working traffic signals, which must be fully restored to safely transport students to and from schools.

The district is continuing its efforts and monitoring recovery and will continue to provide updates on any additional closure dates, or anticipated reopening.

For updates, visit www.manateeschools.net, "Top Stories."

For information on charter and/or private school closures, please visit your school's website.

As of Friday, officials with Manatee County assured residents that it had secured contracts with multiple debris removal companies. While the timeline for yard waste pick-up is unknown due to so many Florida counties needing debris removal services, Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes told residents in a live-streamed Q&A on the county government’s Facebook page that debris removal will begin as soon as possible and in order of priority. Residents do NOT need to be concerned with typical yard waste requirements such as bundling of branches or cutting to a specific length. Branches and other debris can be stacked by the road in piles to await removal teams.Unprepared debris will be collected by contracted haulers on passes through the county which will be scheduled soon. Debris pickup schedules will be announced once confirmed.

For residents with general house trash, construction waste or damaged item removal, or yard debris that requires sooner removal, the local landfill is open and waiving tipping fees. The Manatee County Landfill at Lena Road will offer expanded weekend hours between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and extended operating times are scheduled through next week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information click here.


Recycling

On Monday, collections for garbage and yard waste will resume typical pick-up scheduling–with one major change. These changes include the suspension of recycling pick-ups until further notice.

As of Saturday, Manatee County was continuing its response to lift service stations that are still without electricity. County employees continue to place generators at these lift stations.

The county is asking that as power is restored to homes and businesses residents continue conservative water usage that results in wastewater production. This includes showers, toilet flushing, laundry, dishwashers, and any water that goes down a drain. Lift stations function to move wastewater from neighborhoods to treatment facilities. Until electricity is fully restored to all lift stations (possibly mid-week, or thereafter) residents should remain vigilant in wastewater production.

The county's drinking water/tap water is SAFE for cooking and drinking. On Friday, notice was given to residents whose water service was turned off in advance of the storm–residents of mobile homes and the island were instructed to boil tap water once service was restored or to use bottled water for cooking and drinking. The boil water notice does NOT impact any communities or homeowners who did not experience interruption to their water services.

Manatee County PIO told TBT Saturday morning by phone that the county was still awaiting results of bacteriological quality testing for areas where water service was turned off in advance of the storm. A Rescission Notice will be issued when the boil water notice has been lifted.

Customers experiencing sewage issues are asked to call 3-1-1 so utility crews can identify problem areas and facilitate repairs.

For more information and to access the latest updates on county water services, click here.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Manatee County Government issued an advisory through its Facebook Page advising residents located in eastern parts of Manatee County who relyon well water to refrain from drinking or cooking with the water until it can be tested for purity. These residents should use bottled water until their well water "tests safe." No other information was immediately available. To view the Facebook post, click here.

As of Friday, the Bishop Animal Shelter had reopened. The Bishop location is an intake facility for lost/found pets, it is currently not accepting owner surrenders due to overcapacity issues. If a stray or lost pet is found the county asks residents to file a report by calling the county's information hotline, by dialing 3-1-1, or by visiting mymanatee.org/manateeready.

MCAW Officers will only be responding to emergency calls through Sunday, October 2. Officers will resume regular hours on Monday, October 3.

All adoption fees, and redemption fees for lost pets, are currently being waived.

The Palmetto Adoption Center and Cat Town Adoption Center are open 7 days a week. To view hours of operation visit mymanatee.org/pets

On Saturday, Manatee County employees delivered tarps and water to the Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Rd., Myakka City. County leaders were also assessing additional ways to assist the community inundated with flood waters.

The First Church of the Nazarene, 1616 59th St. W, Bradenton, opened its Fellowship Hall to community members displaced from their homes. There is room for up to 100 people, but they are advising anyone coming to bring their own bedding.

The Manatee Mega Pantry food distribution through Feeding Tampa Bay is scheduled to be open Tuesday, October 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the DeSoto Square Mall, 303 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

For additional dates and hours, visit https://feedingtampabay.org/findfood

There are three Meals on Wheels Plus food distribution events scheduled for Monday, October 3, from 1-3 p.m.:

Lincoln Park

501 17th St. East

Palmetto, FL 34221

Myakka Family Worship Center

33420 Singletary Road

Myakka City, FL 34251

Pride Park

815 63rd Ave East

Bradenton FL 34203


Road Closures


Gasoline/Fuel Access

For residents in need of gasoline for generators or vehicles, Manatee County has added a new tool to help identify open gas stations, current fuel prices, and availability. To access the live map providing information on open gas stations in Manatee County, visit the county's Severe Weather Information Tool athttp://mymanatee.org/gas.

To locate additional information and updates, click here. Or visit Manatee County Government at mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Manatee County Government can also be followed on itsFacebookPage or on Twitter and Instagram, @manateegov

For non-emergencies or general information and questions, residents can call the county’s information hotline by dialing 3-1-1 by phone or mobile device. 311 operations will continue through the week with extended hours of operation.For emergency assistance for life/health, dial 9-1-1.

If you or your organization can assist in recovery or provide help to area residents, county officials ask that you contact the Manatee County Volunteer Coordination team at (941) 749-3500 extension 1522.