LIVE UPDATES: Where to get food and shelter + Manatee County road closures from Hurricane Ian
Bradenton and Manatee County are still in recovery mode three days after Hurricane Ian passed through Southwest Florida, causing devastating damage and storm surge.
Local workers are still restoring the water, power, and traffic signals in the area, as well as clearing up road debris and removing trees.
— 4:01 p.m.
Eastern Manatee County well water to be tested
Local officials advise eastern Manatee County well water users to hold off using the water until it has been tested for cleanliness. They should use bottled water instead.
— 3:21 p.m.
Local resources: food, water and shelter
Manatee County officials continue to help those in the area who are in need of water, food and shelter.
Manatee County employees delivered water, ice, food and tarps to the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Rd. in Myakka City. Those items will be handed out to residents until 6 p.m. on Saturday and again on Sunday, Oct. 2.
The First Church of the Nazarene, 1616 59th St. W, Bradenton, opened its Fellowship Hall Saturday to community members displaced from their homes. The church has space for up to 100 people and advises anyone who stays to bring their own bedding.
On Monday, Oct. 3, from 1-3 p.m., there will be three Meals on Wheels Plus Food locations offering free food:
- Lincoln Park, 501 17th St. E, Palmetto, FL 34221
- Myakka Family Worship Center, 33420 Singletary Rd., Myakka City, FL 34251
- Pride Park, 815 63rd Ave. E, Bradenton Florida 34203
— 2:48 p.m.
Roads in Manatee County that are closed
The Myakka river flooding in Sarasota County caused the closure of I-75 in both directions from mile marker 193 (Jacaranda Blvd) to mile marker 179 (North Port/Toledo Blade Blvd).
In addition to a portion of I75 being closed, Manatee County officials report several other “significant” closures that are causing a disruption in traffic flow in the county.
The road closures are caused by a variety of issues related to Hurricane Ian, including downed trees and power lines, excessive water on the roadways and erosion.
There are still 49 intersections in the county that are without signals. Officials advise motorists to continue to treat those intersections as four-way stops.
List of road closures in Manatee County:
- Upper Manatee River Road west of Rye Road
- 28th Ave Dr W at 85th St E in Palmetto
- Lepps Roadd at Bayshore Road in Palmetto
- 121st and 122nd Aves E at 77th and 78th Steets E in Parrish
- 36th Ave E just south of 37th St E off Ellenton Gillette Road
- Britt Road east of Ft. Hamer Road
- Bunker Hill Road at 89th St E
- River Road at 69th St E
- 15th St E at Tallevast Road
- 7070 15th St E
- 15th St E at State Road 70
- 32790 Taylor Grade Road
- 1711 45th St E
- Palma Sola Boulevard south of Manatee Avenue
- 30607 Singletary Road
- 37775 Singletary Road
- Wauchula Road 1 mile north of Ballard Road
- Chapman Road
- Jim Davis Road Bridge
- 49th St E (Experimental Farm Road) at 22nd St Ct E
- 57th Ave W at 16th St W
— 1:33 p.m.
Potential levee breach in Sarasota near Myakka River
Sarasota County Sheriff’s officers have gone door to door in the Hidden River community in Sarasota County to urge people to leave their houses due to flooding threats from a potential levee break.
About 70 residents living on the east side of the Hidden River community near the Myakka River could be at risk of flooding if the levee gives out. The sheriff’s office says it should not impact other areas of the county including Venice and North Port.
Manatee County government said via Twitter Saturday the break would not affect residents in Manatee County.
Interstate remains closed Saturday
Interstate 75 is closed in both directions after the Myakka River waters have risen after Hurricane Ian and made the road unsafe.
Florida Highway Patrol officers combined the I-75 closure at Sumter Boulevard in Sarasota County overnight. Only the interstate’s northbound and southbound lanes are now shut down, at Exits 179 (North Port/Toledo Blade Blvd) and 193 (Jacaranda Blvd).
— 11:33 a.m.
Interstate closed
As of just before 10 p.m., Interstate 75 was closed because of Myakka River flooding between Exit 179 (North Port / Toledo Blade Blvd) to mile marker 191 (Englewood / Jacaranda Blvd).
Manatee County schools closed next week
All schools in the Manatee County School District will be closed on Monday, Oct. 3rd, spokesperson Michael Barber in a news release Friday.
More than 15 schools in the Manatee District lacked electricity as of Friday.
Clean-up, damage repair, and replenishing food supplies at schools cannot start until electricity is restored. Traffic signals also must be fully operational.
— 11:33 a.m.
City of Bradenton updates
▪ Permit requirements for minor roof repairs are being waived.
▪ Residential garbage will not be picked up until Monday. Recycle sites are closed.
▪ Conserve water and avoid water going down the drain unless necessary.
Recovery in the City of Palmetto
In an email Friday, Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler said, “We faired pretty well in Palmetto.”
All utilities in the city are up and running.
A few pockets of the city are still without electricity, he said. However, crews are working to restore it. The city’s roadways are clear and storm debris cleanup has been underway since early Thursday morning.
Tyler said all traffic signals are functional.
Beaches closed, county updates
“We still have a tremendous amount of debris on the beaches,” Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes during the county’s livestream update Friday.
Throughout the county, he added, beaches and parks are closed..
He said some beach erosion was observed on north Anna Maria Island. Also:
▪ The county’s new software estimates $10.5 Million in residential damages and $4.4 Million in commercial damages reported so far.
▪ Anyone needing temporary housing should dial the 311 phone number.
▪ Water and wastewater service returned to barrier islands as of Friday morning.
▪ As of 10 a.m. Friday, 205 of the county’s 738 lift stations were off line or without power. Everyone is asked to refrain from unnecessary flushing, long showers or doing laundry until they can get more of these sites up and running. Report any issues to the 311 phone number.
▪ Normal county operations resume Monday, including trash collection.
— 10:34 a.m.
Road Closures
Officials say that just west of Rye Road, Upper Manatee River Road is closed, and it’s expected to stay that way for another two to three days.
Golf Course Road will also be closed due to the flooding from Gamble Creek. Near Gamble Creek, Jim Davis Road, which can be accessed from the south by Golf Course Road, is closed down too.
Alternative routes for travelers are Rye, Fort Hamer, US 301, County Road 675, and State Road 64 north and south only.
County Road 675 has one lane closed due to flooding in the eastbound lane.
What’s open and closed?
Here’s a running list of businesses, services and more that have reopened.
Limit water use
Manatee County said everyone in the county is asked to “refrain from the drain” as the wastewater system works to get fully operational.
There are 205 of the county’s 738 lift stations — which move sewage from a lower to higher elevation facilities to wastewater treatment plants — offline or without power as of 8 a.m. Friday.
Everyone is asked to conserve what they put down the drain, including limiting flushing, laundry, dishwasher use, etc.
— 10 a.m.
Water service being restored
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, officials say that water services are being restored to the county’s barrier islands and mobile home parks.
Residents in those areas only are urged to boil any water before using it for drinking or cooking once service has been restored. One minute of rolling boiling is sufficient. Using bottled water is also an option.
The rest of the county has safe drinking water, officials say.
This warning notice will be in force until a bacteriological analysis, which typically takes 24 to 48 hours, confirms that the water is safe.
When the boil water alert has been lifted, a Rescission Notice will be sent out.
— 9:30 a.m.
Free food today
Starting Friday afternoon at DeSoto Square Mall, Bradenton-area residents are invited to grab a free meal as part of Feeding Tampa Bay’s “mega pantry” food drive.
Food distribution will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the mall, 303 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.
In a partnership with World Central Kitchen, the drive-thru operation will provide hot meals from a food truck as well as take-home meals that do not require electricity to prepare.
All major roads, bridges open
The county said in a tweet on Friday morning that the Cortez Bridge and all other local bridges are open.
Any reports that the Cortez Bridge is closed are incorrect.
“Golf Course Road to be closed as water is rising from Gamble Creek. Please seek alternate route — use Rye, Ft. Hamer, 301, County Road 675 (Rutland) and 64 (only North/South),” Manatee County Government posted. “Jim Davis Road is closed at Gamble Creek. It will only be accessible from the south via Golf Course Road. As a reminder, Upper Manatee River Road is closed just West of Rye Road and it is expected to remain closed for another 2 to 3 days.”
Local police station without power
Despite being open, the Bradenton Police Department tweeted that they only have partial power.
According to the agency, patrol officers are still on the streets assisting motorists while certain traffic signals remain without power.
Drivers should come to a complete stop if a traffic signal is not working at an intersection.
Weather advisories
There is a rip current risk and small craft advisory through Friday evening, and continued flood warning for Manatee River.
FEMA tips
- Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
- Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
- Be safe using generators. Generators can be helpful during a power outage, but they present serious health and safety concerns. Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Visit Power Outages | Ready.gov to learn how to use a generator safely.
- Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and livestock waste, contaminates that can lead to illness, sharp debris or wild or stray animals. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
- Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled.
Manatee, Bradenton forecast
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind around 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light northwest wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Light west wind becoming west northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 10:15 AM.
