MANATEE COUNTY, FL (September 30, 2024) – As residents along the Manatee County Gulf Coast continue to clean up from the effects of Hurricane Helene, the overwhelming abundance of sand is proving to be challenging.
Crews are working around the clock to remove the feet-deep sand accumulation on Anna Maria Island. This includes the clearing of roads, thoroughfares and rights of way. Sand that is recovered from roadways will be sorted, sifted, tested and returned to the beach under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and State Health Department requirements.
However, sand removal from private homes and business is the responsibility of the owner as support agencies cannot enter private property. Any sand that has been deposited on private property cannot simply be returned to the beach due to concerns of nails, debris, or household contaminants like oil, bleach, fertilizers, etc.
Please do not remove sand from private property.
Any dumping of sand from private properties on the beach is a direct violation of FDEP regulations. It is very important that the sand from private property NOT be mixed with the sand currently piled up on the roadsides. Residents with any remaining sandbags are encouraged to keep them through the end of storm season (November 30).
County leaders are currently working with local municipalities on a plan for what to do with sand on private property. There will be a notification for secondary sand pickup for residents and businesses soon.
Please continue to monitor local news updates as well as the County's social media accounts for the very latest. Official storm information from Manatee County at is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.