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Hurricane Season

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
Summerfield Bluffs 13-year-old Leah Abrams looks over her destroyed yearbooks as her family works to clean up their home after it was flooded. "All of my yearbooks are ruined," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2024
Hurricane Debby leaves Lakewood Ranch residents rebuilding

Unexpected flooding causes residents to make swift decisions as they work to rebuild their homes and lives.

  • East County
  • News
This photo from the upper bay shows dark stormwater runoff mixing with more saline water from the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 14, 2024
Experts warn Sarasota Bay water quality suffers after Debby

Increased fish kill and algal blooms may be the result of sewage spills and other pollutants that entered the bay as a result of the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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