Manatee County Begins Recovery Efforts

Manatee County Begins Recovery Efforts
Posted on 09/28/2022
Ian UpdateMANATEE COUNTY, FL (September 28, 2022) – As winds from Hurricane Ian are beginning to subside, Manatee County crews are mobilizing to begin recovery efforts. Fuel is being delivered to three shelters to fuel generators at Braden River High School, Lee Middle School and Bayshore Elementary School.

Utilities crews are mobilizing to help restore wastewater service. More than 200 lift stations were off-line across the county due to power outages—more than 28% of the system. Crews will deploy generators to get those lift stations operational again—starting with master lift stations.

First In Teams (FIT) will begin work early Thursday to help clear SR-70 for Florida Power & Light (FPL) crews. Currently, more than 134,000 FPL customers are without power.

FIT Teams will also move in to clear the way on to Anna Maria Island to allow utilities crews to restore the island's sewer service first and then potable water.

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes is calling on all Manatee County employees to respond to this disaster.

“It’s all hands on deck,” said Dr. Hopes. “But it is important we all pitch in to do we do the work that matters.”