City News: Hurricane Helene - Storm Recovery

City of Sarasota, Florida sent this bulletin at 10/04/2024 03:00 PM EDT

Oct. 4, 2024

Hello Everyone,

This past week has been an extraordinary, trying time for our beautiful coastal community, as we endured the wrath of Hurricane Helene. In the face of profound adversity, though, our community is responding with tremendous spirit and resolve. Almost immediately, neighbors were helping neighbors, assessing damage and determining how they could begin the recovery process.

I had the opportunity to visit Lido and St. Armands two days after the storm, and the breadth of destruction was devastating to see in person. Already, though, in just a matter of days noticeable progress is being made with recovery efforts. As a City, we want to assure residents and business owners on the barrier islands who were hit very hard by the storm surge, that we will do everything we can to help restore the area as quickly as possible. As businesses reopen, we encourage you to show your support and patronize them.

For the past week, our dedicated City employees have been in overdrive working around the clock – from making preparations before the storm, to responding to emergencies calls during the storm, to mobilizing before the crack of dawn to start damage assessments and clear roads post-Helene. The extra hours, proactive response and coordination with other agencies has resulted in significant post-storm recovery.

St. Armands Circle at 9:30 am. on Sept. 27, 2024 -- the day after the storm. Coordinating with Sarasota County stormwater and Florida Power & Light, the flood water was pumped out as quickly as possible by the following day to allow residents and business owners to return and begin the recovery process.

Here are a few highlights of the City’s readiness and response:

Documented pre and post-storm conditions of Lido Beach
Initiated storm-centric messaging with the community four days prior to the storm via Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts, four social media channels,news releases, Frequently Asked Questions and website.

Deployed additional SPD officers in advance of the storm to patrol and secure the community, and provide emergency rescue support; and post-storm to enhance security in storm-affected areas and assist with traffic congestion.

As a precaution to protect the integrity of the utilities infrastructure, water service was turned off to the barrier islands hours before Helene hit. Water service was restored to Bird Key and Siesta Key water customers the next day and to St. Armands Key and Lido Key the following day. Precautionary boil water advisories were lifted within the standard 3-day time frame.

With storm-related power outages, several lift stations operated without any problems via generators staged before the storm. The wastewater system returned to normal operation within several days. There were no wastewater spills.

Debris removal from streets, rights-of-way and parks started at daybreak post-Helene.

Damage assessments of City assets, including facilities and parks, started at daybreak. All 60 parks have been assessed.

Bird Key reopened within hours to residents.

St. Armands and Lido Key, which experienced a 2-4 storm surge in the streets, was reopened within one day.

Removal of massive amounts of sand pushed onto Ben Franklin Drive by the storm surge began within one day. So far, 1,451 tons have been removed. Guidelines on sand disposal for residents and commercial property owners have been established and shared with the community.

An on-site inspection of Lido Beach with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was conducted.
A homeowner notice was written and mailed to 2,600 single family homeowners informing them that their home may have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Every residential home was visited by City inspectors and flood high-water lines documented.
Activated the City’s emergency storm debris contractor and announced collection will begin Monday, Oct. 7

Great job, everyone! Thank you to our staff, many of whom are putting their personal lives on hold to focus on our community’s immediate needs.

We anticipate it will be a long road to recovery. As you go through restoration phases, we'll be here to help, including waiving permitting fees for storm recovery-related efforts for residents and business owners. We’re in this together and will get through as a community.

Regards,

Liz Alpert
Mayor

News and Updates

Storm Debris Collection: Starts Oct. 7

The City’s contractor will begin picking up storm debris Monday, Oct. 7. This should give residents time to conduct damage assessments and place flood damaged items curbside for pickup. It also will give seasonal residents time to return to Sarasota and begin the process.

To receive financial reimbursement from the federal government, specific rules have to be followed with debris pickup, including separating debris into four distinct piles:

𝟏. Construction debris – carpeting, dry wall and other flood-impacted construction materials

𝟐. White goods - appliances including refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units and water heaters

𝟑. Bulk items – furniture and accessories, mattresses and other items affected by flood water within a home or structure

𝟒. Vegetative debris – downed tree branches, limbs and vegetative material resulting from Hurricane Helene

Do not place materials in plastic bags. Doing so will delay or prevent pickup.

Also, when putting debris curbside, please leave enough space between debris piles, light poles, mailboxes, parked cars etc. to allow room for the collection equipment to maneuver.

Click here for more information.

Sand Disposal

“What should we do with all the sand on our property?” That's one of the most frequently asked questions posed by barrier island property owners.

The answer depends on whether you are a residential customer or business customer. Please note that business customers include condos, hotels and all commercial businesses.

Residential Customers:

Sand should be placed at the right-of-way in front of the property
Ensure sidewalks and roads are not obstructed

Business Customers (condos, hotel associations and all commercial businesses):

Contact the Engineering Division within the Public Works Department to determine if sand can be processed and returned to the beach.
Contact Angelia Cagan via email at at Angelia.Cagan@Sarasotafl.gov or call 941-263-6153. Written approval from the City is required for this process.
Contaminated sand, including sand mixed with debris, nails, or household chemicals, should be disposed of at the Sarasota County Landfill located at 4010 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis. Again, this is for business customers only (condos, hotel associations and commercial businesses)

The City is making good progress removing sand and clearing Ben Franklin Drive. Already, over 1,400 tons have been removed. Following the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s guidelines, staff believe a significant portion of the sand will be eligible to be returned to Lido Beach, which is good news!

Visitors are encouraged to avoid Lido Beach while recovery continues.

Stay up-to-date with the latest storm recovery at www.Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts

Parks: Post-storm status

All 60 municipal parks have been inspected by Parks and Recreation teams and unsafe areas are now temporarily cordoned off.

Bayfront Park is the only park completely closed to the public. The park has extensive damage, including exposed electrical wires, buckled and broken sidewalks and a vessel that now sits in the park after it was pushed ashore by the tremendous storm surge.

This boat landed in Bayfront Park during Hurricane Helene. Bayfront Park is the only City park completely closed to the public.

Hart’s Landing also was battered by the storm and is closed. Several plank sections of the Saprito Fishing Pier, each weighing approximately 800 pounds, popped out during the strong storm surge, as designed. The pier will reopen when the sections can be restored and a safety inspection completed.

We're committed to working as quickly as possible to reopen the parks, but with much work to do, the restoration process will take time. Please be patient and mindful of areas cordoned off and deemed hazardous and unsafe to enter.

SPD: Heroic efforts during Helene

During Hurricane Helene, the Sarasota Police Department displayed exceptional bravery, responding to multiple emergencies and ensuring the safety of our community.

In the early hours of Sept. 27 the Emergency Response Team (ERT) rescued an elderly couple trapped in their Siesta Key home. Floodwaters had forced the couple, both with mobility and health issues, to the second floor, with their oxygen supply running out. Due to impassable roads, Fire/Rescue could not reach them. Officers Urbain, Gonzalez, Cook and Sullivan used a high-water vehicle to access the home and evacuate the couple, transporting them to safety where EMS took over. Their swift actions undoubtedly saved lives.

Earlier, on Sept. 26, the SPDs Marine Unit responded to a distress call from a sailboat near Centennial Park. Officers battled dangerous winds and rising water to secure the boat, preventing a potential disaster. The Marine Unit’s quick response safeguarded lives and property.

In addition to rescue efforts, officers apprehended two individuals suspected of attempted robbery at Golden Gate Point. Extra patrols remain on the barrier islands to prevent further crime, even now that the storm has passed, ensuring continued safety for residents and property.

Overtown Square: Officially open!

The Rosemary District came together Wednesday to celebrate the official opening of Overtown Square, our newest City park. The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences drumline kicked off the event with a high-energy performance, and our Parks and Recreation Department provided refreshments and coffee for attendees.

Mayor Liz Alpert, Commissioners Debbie Trice and Kyle Battie, Parks and Recreation Department Director Jerry Fogle, community advocate David Lough and Rosemary District Association President Anand Pallegar spoke about the park's importance and the collective effort that brought it to life. After the speeches, the ceremonial ribbon was cut, marking the official opening of our newest City park. Attendees were each given a commemorative keychain to remember the occasion.

Overtown Square features a variety of new trees and a welcoming green space, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Rosemary District. The park will soon come alive with community events and activities, making it a central place for neighbors to gather and enjoy the outdoors. We're excited to see this park become a vibrant part of the neighborhood.

Van Wezel: Iconic performances coming!

Billy Ocean – One of Britain’s biggest Black recording stars, Billy Ocean has sold over 30 million records worldwide! With an impressive collection of Gold and Platinum records, he’s ruled the pop charts for decades. From his early hits like "Love Really Hurts Without You" and "Red Light Spells Danger" to his Grammy-winning performance at Live Aid in 1985, Ocean's career is filled with unforgettable moments. Don’t miss your chance to see him live on Oct. 15 at the Van Wezel!

The Life and Music of George Michael – Celebrate the legacy of one of the world’s most beloved international stars. This show takes you on a journey through George Michael's legendary career, with fan-favorite hits like "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go," "Freedom," "Faith," "Careless Whisper," and "Father Figure." From his early days with Wham! to his chart-topping solo career, Michael sold over 115 million albums and captivated the world with his unforgettable voice. Catch this extraordinary tribute on Oct. 20.

Tickets for both shows are on sale now! Purchase yours online at www.VanWezel.org, call the box office at 941-263-6799, or stop by in person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.