MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Sept. 28, 2024) – As residents across Manatee County continue to clean up and recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) staff continued to prepare for their Adopt-a-Palooza event.
“We contemplated cancelling the event altogether, but the truth is we simply cannot afford to,” said Manatee County Deputy Director of Community and Veterans Services Sarah Brown, who has been working with the Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare on this highly-anticipated annual event.
“After every disaster, Manatee County Animal Welfare is inundated with pets who get lost and find themselves without the love of their family. They’re scared, they’re alone, and our hearts break for them.”
So, the team pivoted, and has worked to combine the adoption activities with a newly established reunification spot with staff on hand to help start the process of reuniting with any animals who may have been have lost during Helene.
The event is scheduled from 11-3 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto (1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto, FL 34221).
Meantime, damage surveys in the county continue. As of Friday evening, just over half of the initial “windshield assessments” had been completed showing 230,471 structures located in 12 zones affected by wind and surge.
- Residential Damage $153,127,695
- Commercial Damage $1,971,612
Residents doing their own damage assessments are reminded to beware of scammers looking to take advantage of the vulnerable - using creative tactics to take money or personal information during this time of recovery. Also make sure any contractors are licensed and insured and proper permits are acquired before moving forward on any work.
Manatee County continues to work with two contract haulers to coordinate debris removal. While there is no set schedule, it is anticipated that the work to clear the county of debris will begin next week. Residents are reminded to separated debris from other refuse.
Starting at 10:00 am, property owners and business owners of Holmes Beach and the City of Anna Maria, will be allowed to come onto the island to assess their damages. YOU MUST HAVE A RE-ENTRY TAG.
The only access to the Island currently is from Manatee Ave. The roads in Bradenton Beach are still impassable. There will be barricades at the city line of Holmes Beach/ Bradenton Beach so no one can enter Bradenton Beach through Holmes Beach. There is still no power or water and the roads still have standing water and debris.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will be running modified service on routes 3 and 6 and there will be no Beach Trolley. All other Fixed Routes will be operational. The MCAT shuttle will provide service from Manatee Ave. W. at 75th St. W. to take island evacuees to the shelter.
As the clean-up continues, Points of Distribution (PODs) have been established at the following locations providing ready-to-eat-meals, water and tarps:
- Bennett Park (400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34208)
- Blackstone Park (2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto, FL 34221)
- GT Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton, FL 34209)
Athletic League play has returned to regular schedules across the county. Libraries have reopened except for the Island Branch Library (5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach) and Palmetto Branch (923 6th Street W., Palmetto, FL 34221).
Manatee County facilities are expected to fully reopen Monday (except for those directly impacted by the storm). Continue to monitor local news and weather broadcasts as well as the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County at is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.