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Hurricane Season

The beach landscape of the Gulfside Road public beach access changed after Hurricane Idalia, now exposing an old sea wall.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Longboat's beaches withstood Idalia's surge, but flooding still prevailed. How?

The beaches helped protect Longboat Key's gulf side, but bayfront properties don't share those same protections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Steven Lloyd on the back of his floating home. "My Best Life," at its temporary home in Marina Jack.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 6, 2023
Liveaboard boater breathes sigh of relief after Hurricane Idalia

A yacht owner says the lifestyle's benefits outweigh a few days of dread during tropical weather.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The owners and management of Harry's got to work quickly to dry out their office building, which received 13 inches of water from Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 6, 2023
Longboat Key takes stock of Hurricane Idalia flooding damage

Water damage, transformer failures and beach erosion are among the issues Longboat Key faced due to flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
High water from Hurricane Idalia's storm surge presented obstacles for Longboat Key first responders.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 5, 2023
Emergency services kept vigilant eye on Longboat Key during Idalia

Police and fire departments rode out the storm on the island to be in position to respond to emergencies.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 4, 2023
Idalia causes anxiety but little damage in Myakka City

Since Hurricane Ian left destruction in its wake, residents are now prepared for anything.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Charles and Elaine Johnston evacuate to Freedom Elementary School due to concerns of storm surge at their home during Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County schools prepared for the next storm

Hurricane Idalia served as test run for residents and schools that become shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Hurricane Idalia at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2023
Hurricane Idalia news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

  • Hurricane Season
Norton Street, a historically flooded street, was one of the side streets that was still flooded when residents were allowed back on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
See Longboat Key after Idalia: North-end flooding, strewn debris

Some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive and side streets remained flooded when Longboat Key reopened Wednesday evening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hibiscus Way and Poinsettia Avenue in north Longboat Key on Wednesday morning
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 30, 2023
Longboat open to residents, business owners via Cortez Bridge

Longboat Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said widespread flooding has rendered many roads impassable.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The flooding extended to the lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 30, 2023
Hurricana Idalia leaves flooded roads, properties on Siesta Key

The intermittent rain and wind, as well as the difficulty of traveling, on Wednesday kept most of the public indoors throughout the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 30, 2023
City, county, schools set to resume normal operations Thursday

Government offices will reopen and schools used as shelters are being prepared for students to return.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caddy's sign in Bradenton along the Manatee River takes on a different meaning after Hurricane Idalia went through.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch only dealt a glancing blow from Hurricane Idalia

Those on the Manatee River were threatened with flooding, but most of East County escaped unscathed.

  • East County
  • News
O'Leary's picnic area at Sarasota's Bayfront Park was flooded at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2023
See Hurricane Idalia damage in Sarasota

Bayfront Park and areas of downtown Sarasota are flooded.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Myakka City residents are calm, but they respect Idalia's threat

No one was overly worried about Hurricane Idalia's possible impacts, but preparations carried on just in case.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Fabrizo taking in signs and other outdoor items from the Publix parking lot.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 29, 2023
Business owners on St. Armands Circle, Longboat prep for Hurricane Idalia

Few businesses stay open as they make last-minute preparations and residents evacuate for the coming Category 3 hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »
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Latest News

1
Junior running back Antonio Jackson (center) of Braden River finds a gap in Lakewood Ranch's defense. The Pirates won this year's rivalry game.
  • September 5, 2026
High school football results from Week 3
2
Sarasota Chief Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga makes opening remarks at the May 21 Main Street complete street public meeting.
  • September 5, 2026
Sarasota transportation planner elected to trade association leadership role
3
The intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive can get busy with traffic coming from multiple directions. A roundabout is planned at that location, but was pushed back at least a year.
  • September 5, 2026
Broadway roundabout delayed despite finalized design
4
The property at 1475 John Ringling Parkway features more than 140 feet of waterfront.
  • September 5, 2026
Waterfront home on John Ringling Parkway listed for nearly $8M
5
The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and town of Longboat Key joined forces to organize the first Let’s Talk Longboat business roundtable June 17 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • September 4, 2026
Registration open for local business forum

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