Manatee County Continues Helene Recovery

Manatee County is continuing to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, as relief efforts pivot to help meet community needs.
 
Needs Assessment Teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit regions, including beach communities, Rubonia, Perico Bay and area trailer parks, assisting residents with immediate human needs and recovery concerns. Staff has also completed its initial “windshield assessment” for structural damages in unincorporated Manatee County (note this does NOT include damage estimates in coastal communities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach):
 
Residential Damage:
Destroyed: 542
Major: 553
Minor: 1635
Affected: 314
 
Total in dollars:  $353,951,318
 
Commercial Damage:
Destroyed: 52
Major: 5
Minor: 173
Affected: 15
 
Total in dollars: $4,635,400
 
A Point of Distribution (POD) for water, meals ready to eat (MRE) and tarps is being established at the following locations (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

• GT Bray Park – 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
• Kingfish Boat Ramp – 752 Manatee Ave. Holmes Beach
• Blackstone Park – 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
• Wakeland Support Center – E 1812 27th St. E., Bradenton
• City of Bradenton Parking Garage – 3rd Ave W & 10th St W

Meals on Wheels is distributing food and cleaning supplies starting at 4 PM in Rubonia this afternoon.

A Red Cross Shelter is open at First Baptist (1306 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton) for those displaced by the storm. Fifteen persons were housed there overnight as staff works to provide more permanent housing for them.
 
A Helene Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at 1 p.m. today at the Lakewood Ranch Library (6410 Rangeland Pkwy., Lakewood Ranch) co-located with the existing Debby DRC. After today, that center will be open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week. Preparations for a DRC location on the Island are currently underway.
 
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has mobilized to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.  A SBDC Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) will be at the State College of Florida (5840 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34207) today from Noon to 5 p.m.  Future dates and times to be determined.
 
Debris Haulers are deploying through the county this morning to begin their initial collections in Palma Sola, Cortez, Terra Ceia, Ellenton, and Rubonia. Residents are asked to keep storm debris separated from regular refuse to ensure it’s disposed of properly. The Lena Road Landfill will be open for those who wish to dispose of their own hurricane debris. Manatee County residents will need to show proof of residency to waive tipping fees for hurricane-related debris only.
 
Manatee County offices and facilities have reopened this morning (except for those directly impacted by the storm). 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 is continuously updated at mymanatee.org/storm.