Manatee County Continues Assessment and Rebuilding

MANATEE COUNTY — Damage assessments are continuing across Manatee County as the community recovers from the storm surge flooding left behind after Hurricane Helene.
 
Assessment teams deployed Friday, Saturday and Sunday performing initial “drive-by” damage assessments, within the affected areas of our community. This assessment helped determine the number of residential and commercial structures that were either affected, minor, major, or destroyed.
 
“We did not see a need for ‘self-reporting’ of these initial damage assessments like we may have leveraged in other storm events, because the effects of Helene were isolated to our coastal, low lying, and flood prone areas,” said Deputy County Administrator Courtney De Pol.
 
Substantial Damage Assessments are being conducted now. These assessments are required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Florida Building Code (FBC), and our local ordinances, for all affected structures within the flood zone. If the cost to repair is 50% or more of the market value, the structure must be brought into compliance with current local floodplain management standards. Rebuilding to current standards decreases risk to life and property and prevents future disaster suffering.
 
“Manatee County will collect this time-sensitive data and then monitor repairs and development in the floodplain and to ensure National Flood Insurance Program compliance so that residents can take advantage of NFIP discounts.” said De Pol. “At present, Manatee residents get a 25% discount due to the county’s community rating system.”
 
The process the county has developed, to ensure expedited and responsive permit review, begins with damage inspections. Residents are being asked to allow county staff, or state agencies or FEMA, to inspect damaged buildings. The preliminary damage inspections evaluate the damage of foundations, roofs, windows, doors and siding.
 
Whether replacing a structure or performing any repairs, residents are urged to verify the professional licenses of anyone you hire to work on your property. Unlicensed contractors often target the uninformed and inexperienced, as well as the elderly. While hiring an unlicensed contractor may provide a quick fix in the short term, it could result in many serious and lasting consequences, including further damage to the property.
 
Always ask for a reference, verify the license number with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR), and check for any complaints. To verify a contractor’s license, call 1-850-487-1395 visit the DBPR website at www.myfloridalicense.com.
 
Please remember that repairs and rebuilding in a Flood Zone brings extra requirements, knowing that your contractor is familiar with the FEMA requirements is important.
 
All repairs require permits. Manatee County is waiving building permit fees for storm related repairs through Feb. 1, 2025.
 
Residents are also being asked to inspect their drainage systems. Often a random piece of debris -- a single palm frond, basketball, or trash can lid -- can cause significant backups. Keeping drains clear allows rainwater to drain efficiently, reducing the risk of standing water and minimizing the potential for water damage. Together, we can ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe and resilient during heavy rain events.
 
Finally, debris collection is happening! Our contracted haulers are out in full force, actively picking up debris. More trucks have been added to the effort. Haulers will be making multiple passes. Residents are asked to separate debris into categories: vegetative waste, construction, and white goods, and keep it separate from household waste collections. This will help ensure a faster and more efficient pickup process. Thank you for your patience and support as we work together to restore our community.
 
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.