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Your Observer

Some Lido Key residents got clever with their reaction to Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier island residents, shopkeepers happy to see

Damage not as severe as expected across Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kelly Carson
  • September 12, 2017
Sheriff warns of scammers

Unlicensed contractors, handymen could flood the area after Irma

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 12, 2017
Siesta Key residents relieved, surprised at lack of damage from storm

After the much-anticipated hurricane passed over the island, the only "devastation" was some downed trees, minor flooding and loss of power, much to residents's surprise.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Katie Johns & Niki Kottmann
  • September 12, 2017
Barrier islands emerge relatively unscathed after Irma

Longboat, Lido and St. Armands keys suffered only minor damages during Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High, which acted as a shelter during Hurricane Irma, will be open to students again on Sept. 18.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Manatee County public schools off until Monday, Sept. 18

Schools, which acted as shelters, need to be cleaned, have storm debris removed.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Sarasota residents breathe relief after Irma

With trees and power down, people in the Sarasota area start cleaning up and counting their blessings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County will release a date when it will pick up storm debris later this week. Only garage that fits in a can will be picked up in regular garbage service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Date to pick up storm debris in Manatee County not set yet

County schools will be closed on Tuesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Tracking Irma's aftermath

Downed trees, street signs litter area streets as residents begin to assess damage from the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cars wait in line at a checkpoint to re-enter Longboat Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2017
Update: Longboat Key reopens to residents

There will continue to be access issues for residents as they return to the town post-Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Farmers Market is one of many events to cancel its plans for this weekend.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Updates: Offices and organizations reopen after Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma caused many closures throughout Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Irma pounded Lakewood Ranch on Sunday night as a Category 2 hurricane.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 11, 2017
Curfew lifted in Manatee County

Sheriff's Office advises people stay off the roads as much as possible

  • East County
  • News
Authorities reported trees down around the area this morning.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2017
Sarasota, Manatee teams assess Irma damage

Officials urge residents to stay off the roads until all-clear given

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 10, 2017
Wind speeds drive Sarasota officers back to base

Wind hits sustained 45 mph in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With sustained winds from Hurricane Irma reaching 40 miles per hour, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells pulled all his deputies off service calls as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County Sheriff's Office pulls deputies from roads

Conditions from Hurricane Irma make it too dangerous to answer service calls.

  • East County
  • News
Longboaters left on the island could see heavy winds and storm surge up to 10 feet.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • September 10, 2017
Longboat Key expects damage, flooding

Town officials preparing for recovery, debris clearing after Hurricane Irma.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen and Brian Feeney board up their front window before evacuating Longboat Key on Sept. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2017
Irma: What to expect in the next 24 hours

As Hurricane Irma approaches, here's what to expect during and after.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Rick Wells.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County Sheriff — 'Looters won't be tolerated'

Sheriff Rick Wells tells public to stay off the roads until curfew ends at 3 p.m. Monday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2017
Manatee County still has shelter space; 3 p.m. curfew set

Evacuees still can find space as Hurricane Irma approaches.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County shelters were near capacity on Saturday afternoon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Shelter space in Manatee County dwindles

Those evacuating to shelters urged to find a spot by 8 p.m. Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
Hurricane Irma is scheduled to pass over Sarasota this weekend.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 9, 2017
Emergency officials say 'time is running out' to seek shelter

Hurricane Irma's affects could start hitting Sarasota County as early as 2 a.m. Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida Highway Patrol has warned motorists it will close bridges when sustained wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
Florida bridges set to close due to Hurricane Irma

Motorists need to check route if they expect to be on the road.

  • East County
  • News
Larissa Green reads the Wall Street Journal while her daughter Ann Green West talks on the phone at Booker High School on Saturday. The pair arrived with Howard Green on Friday night.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • September 9, 2017
Booker shelter braces for Hurricane Irma

Booker High School has never had to open its doors as a hurricane shelter before. It’s now home to more than 1,200 evacuees.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Sarasota County opens additional shelters

More than 12,000 people are seeking shelter in Sarasota County, and five shelters have reached capacity so far.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sam Campbell helps prepare a Siesta Key business for the storm.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 9, 2017
Irma worries Siesta Key residents, visitors, business owners

Residents have until Saturday at 8 p.m. to evacuate the island ahead of Hurricane Irma, which is projected to cross directly over Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
East County's Nina, Toby (the dog), James and Noah Klepek gather their belongings before entering an emergency shelter at Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 9, 2017
UPDATE: Manatee County opens 23 shelters, but some already full

Braden River High, Oneco both full as thousands seek refuge from Hurricane Irma.

  • East County
  • News
Alaina Ray has held the director job in Longboat Key since early 2014.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 9, 2017
Longboat Key's building, planning and zoning director resigns

Alaina Ray is moving to new job in Loudoun County, Va. Her last day is Oct. 6

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents in the orange evacuation zone are included in the voluntary evacuation. Map courtesy Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2017
Update: Sarasota issues voluntary evacuation for Zone B

The county continues to encourage residents to seek shelter as needed with Hurricane Irma approaching.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Tringali drills boards over the windows of Zanne Gordon's Lido Key home Friday afternoon.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 9, 2017
Lido Key residents evacuate as Hurricane Irma approaches

With the barrier islands under a mandatory evacuation order, Lido Key is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zone B in Manatee County is under a voluntary evacuation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 9, 2017
Voluntary evacuations for Zone B in Manatee County

Residents are urged to find their shelter Saturday with brunt of Hurricane Irma expected Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
The National Hurricane Center forecasts Irma making landfall in south Florida this weekend. Map courtesy National Hurricane Center.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota County under hurricane warning

Southwest Florida is now likely to see sustained hurricane-strength winds when Irma passes through the area this weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Crea, owner of Survive Anything, is extending store hours leading up to — and potentially during — Hurricane Irma. Photo by Mark Wemple
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • September 8, 2017
Survive Anything store extends hours due to Hurricane Irma

Owner of the survival essentials store, Mike Crea, says he will remain open Friday and Saturday, and will be open Sunday if conditions allow.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota shelters prepare to take in evacuees

If you're thinking about going to one, you probably should, Superintendent Todd Bowden said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Katie Johns and Ryan Butler
  • September 8, 2017
Longboat Key packs up ahead of Hurricane Irma

On Sept. 8, a mandatory evacuation order was implemented for barrier islands in Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County's Emergency Operations Center was bustling on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2017
Manatee County issues mandatory evacuation for low-lying areas

Those living in mobile and manufactured homes also told to evacuate

  • East County
  • News
Emergency officials from each municipality and from the county give an update Friday on preparations for Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 8, 2017
Sarasota County issues mandatory evacuation orders

Residents in evacuation zone A — including Sarasota’s barrier islands — have to evacuate between 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Saturday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue will be loaning out dozens of their crates today to those who plan on taking their pets to an emergency shelter.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • September 8, 2017
Nate's Honor Rescue to loan out animal crates

The animal shelter will provide a limited supply of crates today at 1 p.m. for those who plan on bringing pets to an emergency shelter.

  • East County
  • News
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