Hurricane Milton Information

Water shutoff

Oct 7, 2:12pm – Sarasota County anticipates shutting off potable water services and lift stations for wastewater on Siesta Key Tuesday, Oct. 8. The specific time is unknown. This precautionary measure protects the community’s infrastructure.

Evacuation

Oct 7, 9:45am – Evacuation centers will open at 10am Tuesday, Oct 8. Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center is now calling for the evacuation of everyone in levels A (Siesta Key) and B. Those living in level C should be prepared to evacuate if the storm intensifies. Evacuation Centers

If your plan is to leave the area, do so now, today, Monday. This will be one of the largest evacuations along our state’s west coast. If you wait, you will get stuck in traffic.

Hurricane Milton Update

Oct 5, 6:30pm – Sarasota County is urging the community to take this storm seriously. The County will be calling for evacuations in Levels A (including Siesta Key) and potentially Levels A and B ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to reach major hurricane strength before impacting our community. Learn your evacuation level.

If you live in Level A or B, NOW is the time to implement your plan, whether it’s staying with a family member or friend in a different level or leaving the area. If your plan is to leave the area, do so now. This will be one of the largest evacuations along our state’s west coast. If you wait, you will get stuck in traffic.

For the latest updates and resources, visit scgov.net or call 311.

Register with Alert Sarasota County for important public safety messages and to receive rapid updates during emergencies by landline, cellphone, text message, email, TDD/TTY, or via the Alert Sarasota County app on your mobile device.

Visit alertsarasotacounty.com to register and to download the app, or call 311. #SRQCounty

Stay safe and informed!

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Post-Hurricane Helene Info

Sarasota County Support for Businesses

Sarasota County is here to support our business community as we recover from Hurricane Helene. For business recovery assistance email [email protected], visit scgov.net or call 311 or 941-861-5000. Assistance and information are available in-person at the local Business Recover Center at Sarasota Christian Church, 2923 Ashton Road, Sarasota, 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday and 1-5pm Sundays. More info.

SBDC Mobile Assistance Center

Oct 2 – The Florida SBDC will be on-site at the Sarasota Business Recovery Center (3660 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota) to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Helene Wednesday, Oct 2 to Friday, Oct 4, 10am – 3pm. Certified consultants will guide you through recovery programs: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan, SBA Physical Disaster Loan, Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

County Beach Parks Remain Closed Until Further Notice

Oct 1, 1pm – All Sarasota County-owned and/or operated beach parks (including Siesta and Turtle beaches) and all associated amenities and concessions are closed until conditions improve to allow for response and recovery operations.

The County asks those who are not supporting recovery efforts on the barrier islands to please avoid the area to reduce traffic and give space to those who are supporting recovery efforts.

Safety reminder: lifeguards are not present on Sarasota County-owned and/or operated beaches until conditions allow for safe access and use.

To view the Parks Status Report and see which parks, beaches and recreation centers are open or closed, visit loom.ly/wL9-MaA. For more information, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.

FEMA Specialists in Florida Communities After Hurricane Helene

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews are in Florida neighborhoods helping people apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene. DSA specialist wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. They go door to door in affected neighborhoods to help people apply for federal assistance, check the status of an application, identify potential needs and make connections with organizations that can provide resources. DSA crews never ask for, or accept, money. How to Apply

FEMA Assistance for Floridians

FEMA disaster assistance may provide funds to homeowners and renters for serious needs, basic home repair, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from Hurricane Helene. FEMA assistance is not a replacement for insurance. Here’s more info on Housing and other needs assistance.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources.

Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant.

Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans require repayment by the approved applicant. Owners may utilize funding from longer term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan. Apply online.

Hurricane Helene – Stay Informed

For the latest updates and resources, visit scgov.net or call 311.

Visit alertsarasotacounty.com to register and to download the app, or call 311. #SRQCounty

Stay safe and informed!