• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Hurricane Season

Sand from Longboat Key's beaches created dunes along Gulf of Mexico Drive after Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 27, 2024
Longboat Key officials say more help is on the way, reentry timeline still uncertain

Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi told community representatives there’s still uncertainties with the town’s water supply and infrastructure following Hurricane Helene.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Assistant Fire Chief Tom Dorsey speaks at a news conference on Siesta Key on Friday, Sept. 27, while County Commissioner Mark Smith and Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi look on.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 27, 2024
Siesta Key Village businesses 'wiped out' by Hurricane Helene

Sarasota rescue officials say work is just beginning to recover from the storm.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Passersby stop to look at a large sailboat that lies beached on Bayfront Park on Friday, Sept. 27, a day after Hurricane Helene passed through the area.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 27, 2024
Morning after Helene reveals hit-and-miss damage at Bayfront Park

At least two sailboats suffered major damage when they were ripped from their moorings overnight.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tony Olivero of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch cleans up fallen palm fronds, tree limbs and other debris following Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 27, 2024
All quiet on the eastern Manatee front following Hurricane Helene

While west Manatee beaches took a "devastating" hit, Lakewood Ranch-area residents were dealing with minor cleanup.

  • East County
  • News
Shelter staff were at the entrance to welcome visitors.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 26, 2024
Sarasota residents settle into place at Southside Elementary shelter

The site is one of 12 evacuation centers operated by Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Flor Chaves decided to stock up on groceries and other items.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 25, 2024
Recent flooding leaves residents concerned for Helene impacts

Sarasota residents prepared for the next storm, even while some were dealing with the impacts of the last.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carolyn Conner and Jake Wright put hurricane shutters at Cigar Paradise.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 25, 2024
St. Armands Circle and Longboat residents prepare for Hurricane Helene

Business owners plan to stay up for most of Wednesday and close on Sept. 26 for safety concerns due to the incoming hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key beaches were relatively empty before Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 25, 2024
Evacuation ordered for Longboat Key ahead of Hurricane Helene

As Tropical Storm Helene strengthened into a hurricane around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Longboat Key officials advised residents that an evacuation order was in effect for residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kimberly Ramalho, left, and Katie Capone sit on Siesta Key Beach Wednesday, Sept. 25. The two friends were enjoying the weather a day before Hurricane Helene is due to pass by on the way to a predicted landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 25, 2024
Siesta Key beachgoers, merchants taking Helene in stride

As shops were preparing for storm surge, tourists were unfazed.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The National Hurricane Center predicts a system to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, producing heavy rain.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 23, 2024
Sarasota County offices to be closed as staff prepares for bad weather

County offices to be closed Tuesday; self-serve sandbags stations will be open Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The National Hurricane Center says a tropical system heading into the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 23, 2024
Manatee County readies as tropical system approaches

Lake Manatee Dam work is complete, and sandbag stations are open.

  • East County
  • News
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 28, 2024
Sarasota County staff explain causes of flooding from Hurricane Debby

The presentation led commissioners and residents to question whether the county's stormwater regulations are stringent enough.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial view of the Lake Manatee Dam shows water being released.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2024
Questions linger over Lake Manatee Dam release

East County residents question why more water wasn't released from Lake Manatee ahead of Tropical Storm Debby.

  • East County
  • News
A car pushes through the flooding in Mill Creek.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2024
Hurricane Debby raises Manatee County communication issues

Residents are left questioning the county's methods for disseminating information during a crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Udermann captured pictures of flooding in the Village following a weather event in April 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 16, 2024
Got flooding? The town of Longboat Key wants to know

Details from residents who experienced flooding in Hurricane Debby will help with the town’s grant applications for future drainage improvement projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Dolores Virginia Levy
  • June 8, 2026
Dolores Virginia Levy (1932-2026)
Sponsored Content
2
  • June 8, 2026
10th Annual Fireworks on the Lake
3
The inaugural Under Armour Track and Field Nationals featured Daphne Quintal, and she ultimately placed sixth for pole vault among female middle schoolers.
  • June 8, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Daphne Quintal
4
The installation of span wire traffic signals on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard at the intersections of Gatewood Drive and Wood Fern Trail are two projects within Manatee County's "master vision" for speed management on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between 44th Avenue East and State Road 64.
  • June 8, 2026
More traffic signals coming to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard
5
Trish Shinkle served as Town Clerk for the town of Longboat Key from June 2006 to June 2026.
  • June 8, 2026
Trish Shinkle, who recorded town history for 20 years, has retired

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free