Saturday Hurricane Ian Updates: I-75 reopens in south Sarasota County

Staff Report
·10 min read

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Latest Hurricane Ian aftermath stories –

8:10 p.m. | Ian causes flooding at Benderson Park and UTC

Stormwater ponds near Nathan Benderson Park that reached capacity caused flooding in the parking lot in the University Town Center area, according to Sarasota County.

Brianne Grant, media relations officer for the county, said crews are assessing the flooding. The ponds spilled over because of excess rainfall from Hurricane Ian, she said.

“From my understanding, the flooding is localized in that area and they have crews assessing it,” Grant said. She said the county would have more information to provide Sunday.

Lauren Clark, marketing and sponsorship director for the Mall at University Town Center, said that there was some storm drain backup connected to county drainage systems near the West District, which includes tenants such as Target, Ulta Beauty, Michaels, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Old Navy.

Earlier on Saturday, University Town Center informed shoppers of “minor” flooding in areas along Cattlemen Road via Facebook. In a separate Saturday morning Facebook post, the Mall at University Town Center said the flooding was not related to the Myakka River.

The shopping area reopened on Friday after Hurricane Ian, its Facebook page said.

4:30 p.m. | I-75 reopens in south Sarasota County

According to tweets from the Florida Highway Patrol, northbound I-75 has reopened at mile marker 182 (Sumter Blvd.), and southbound I-75 at mile marker 182 is in the process of reopening.

The I-75 closure in Sarasota County between Exits 193 and 179 has concluded; all lanes of the Interstate have reopened as of 4:00 PM.

3:40 p.m. | Latest update from Sarasota County Government covers wide range of Hurricane Ian recovery issues in North Port, Venice, Longboat Key and Sarasota

The latest update from Sarasota County is a great summation of what is happening with Hurricane Ian recovery in the area. Here are some highlights:

Sarasota County

  • Sarasota County libraries remain closed as experts assess damage to the facilities.

  • Parks and recreation facility reservations, including Turtle Beach Campground, are canceled until further notice.

  • Waste Management will resume garbage and yard waste pickup on Monday. Recycling collection is suspended until further notice.

  • Sarasota County Planning and Development Services will be instituting emergency building permit procedures to expedite the permitting process for residents tot make needed repairs.

City of North Port

  • If you are in an area impacted by flooding and water is threatening your home, you may evacuate to Venice High School if you have no other safe place to go. Flood waters will continue to rise for up 36 hours.

  • I-75 is still shut down from Toledo Blade Blvd. to Jacaranda Blvd in both directions There is no estimated opening time.

  • North Port has restored water service. Please boil water for the next three days.

  • Due to flooding and recovery experts, the City of North Port requests you drive in the area only when absolutely necessary.

  • Waste collection is currently suspended until further notice.

  • A curfew remains in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless you are commuting to work.

  • All city offices and parks and recreation services are closed, including parks and athletic fields.

City of Venice

  • The boil water notice has been rescinded for the island of Venice.

  • Venice City Hall will open on Monday.

  • Trash and recycling pickup will resume Monday, with debris pickup beginning Wednesday.

City of Sarasota

  • The boil water notice for the barrier islands is still in effect. It will likely end on Sunday, but residents will be alerted.

  • Normal city operations will resume Monday.

  • Regular yard waste collection has been suspended. Storm debris will be collected by a contractor in the near future.

Town of Longboat Key

  • Water service has been restored and a boil water advisory is in effect.

  • Minimize water use as wastewater collection is currently being operated by using generators.

  • Garbage and recycling collection will resume Monday.

  • Debris collection will begin next week.

2:15 p.m. | Waste Management announces it will resume garbage pickup in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Waste Management announced on Saturday that it would resume garbage pickup in the areas it serves in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, WM will resume residential service in Manatee County on Monday, October 3 with collection of garbage and containerized yard waste only. Residents should separate their garbage and containerized yard waste at the curb from their storm debris. Recycling collection has been suspended until further notice. Commercial and roll-off service has also resumed," said the release.

1:40 p.m. | Sarasota County to offer free do-it-yourself drop-off of vegetative storm debris

According to a tweet from Sarasota County, two public drop-off sites for residents who would like to self-transport vegetative storm debris will be opening on Monday, Oct. 3. The sites will be open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

There is no cost for dropping off residential storm debris, as long as you show proof of residency and you unload the debris yourself.

No commercial debris or vehicles will be permitted to use the sites.

Here are the locations:

  • Rothenbach Park (north), 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

  • Jackson Road Transfer Station (south), 250 S. Jackson Road, Venice

1:30 p.m. | At least two Sarasota County distribution points are open

Herald-Tribune reporter Gabriela Szymanowska stopped by the Twin Lakes Park distribution point, where the National Guard is handing out water, food and ice.

At 12:15 p.m. today, a steady stream of cars was passing through, as families were allowed to pick up a case of 24 water bottles, six ready-to-eat meals and two bags of ice. People Szymanowska spoke to estimated more than 120 cars had been through at that point.

The county had planned to open six distribution spots, most in Venice and North Port, by 9 a.m. today but had run into supply delivery issues and had to postpone.

It's still unclear when each spot will open, but here is the list of locations:

  • Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice – OPEN

  • Hyundai of Venice, 200 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice.

  • Wellfield Park, 1251 Pinebook Road, Venice.

  • San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port.

  • Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

  • Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota – OPEN

12:15 p.m. | Sarasota County water, ice, food and tarp distribution points delayed

Six distribution points to help supply water, ice, food and tarps to Sarasota County residents in need will likely open later than expected.

They were initially supposed to open at 8 a.m. this morning, but a later message said that noon was more likely "due to delays in the shipment of supplies and changing traffic conditions, these locations will open later Saturday than expected."

Those delays continue and the county has now said they will have to push back the opening further. No details on when the neighborhood distribution points will open, as of yet.

Here are the locations:

  • NEW: Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice.

  • Hyundai of Venice, 200 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice.

  • Wellfield Park, 1251 Pinebook Road, Venice.

  • San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port.

  • Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

  • Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.

11:45 a.m. | Sarasota County releases way to sign up as a volunteer Hurricane Ian aftermath

Sarasota County has released a form for people to fill out if they are interested in being an emergency volunteer during Hurricane Ian's aftermath.

10:30 a.m. | 44% still suffering from power outages in Sarasota County, 34% in Manatee County

As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Florida Power and Light reports 125,420 households still without power in Sarasota County – about 44% of FPL customers in the county – and 68,240, or approximately 34%, in Manatee County.

An FPL spokesperson said Thursday that the company prioritizes restoration to the largest amount of customers in the shortest amount of time. Workers start with FPL infrastructure and power plants, then proceed to critical infrastructure, which includes hospitals, 911 call centers, and senior homes. Then, FPL looks at community essentials to get people back on their feet, such as gas stations and grocery stores, especially in harder-hit areas.

Communities that were hit harder by Hurricane Ian are also suffering longer delays in the return of power. 78% are still without power in Charlotte County and 68% in Lee County.

See current FPL outages across the state at fplmaps.com.

9:45 a.m. | Water and sewer services restored to Siesta Key and Casey Key in Sarasota County

After a longer than expected delay, Sarasota County announced this morning that county water and sewer utilities had been restored to most of Siesta Key and Casey Key. Along with that restoration, there is a 72-hour boil water advisory for both islands.

“Our personnel overcame immense challenges due to power outages to get the job done,” said Public Utilities Director Mike Mylett. “Customer service remains our highest priority, and we value the community’s patience throughout this process.”

The county also advises that residents will experience lower than usual water pressure and may have some air in the lines in their residences. It also asks that residents continue to minimize water usage as much as possible until power is restored to the community.

7:45 a.m. | Sarasota County pushes back opening of water, ice, food and tarp distribution points

Sarasota County announced yesterday that it will be opening some Neighborhood Points of Distribution to county residents who need water, ice, food or tarps due to Hurricane Ian.

They were initially supposed to open at 8 a.m. this morning, but a later message said that "due to delays in the shipment of supplies and changing traffic conditions, these locations will open later Saturday than expected."

They are now expected to open at noon today.

Here are the locations:

  • NEW: Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice.

  • Hyundai of Venice, 200 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice.

  • Wellfield Park, 1251 Pinebook Road, Venice.

  • San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port.

  • Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

  • Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Manatee, North Port, Venice Hurricane Ian wake