City of Bradenton Beach Advances Hurricane Recovery, Monitors New Tropical Threats

On Friday, October 4, Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing recovery efforts from recent hurricane impacts. Key topics included power restoration, new tropical weather concerns, debris collection, mail delivery updates, access restrictions between Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key, and the arrival of both FEMA representatives and a Manatee County assessment team.

Power Restoration:

Perry reported significant progress in restoring power across the city. Florida Power & Light (FPL) had successfully restored power to 98% of the city by late Friday morning, with only a few properties still facing service interruptions. The utility company, Wilco, continues work on the last three lateral underground power lines in the southern part of the city, with full restoration expected soon. However, some properties remain without power due to damaged electrical systems.

Most businesses along Bridge Street had their power restored, signaling a gradual return to normal operations. The FPL staging area at Coquina Beach is also being closed as resources are reallocated to other regions.

Tropical Weather Concerns:

City officials are closely monitoring a new tropical system expected to bring heavy rain to the island as early as Saturday. The potential for flooding is a significant concern, as storm drains have yet to be cleared of debris from Hurricane Helene. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to resume clearing efforts on Monday, but in the meantime, drainage issues may persist. The city is preparing to distribute sandbags at key locations, pending delivery by Manatee County.

An additional state of emergency was declared earlier on Friday to allow for preparations ahead of the potential weather event, with officials urging residents to stay vigilant and secure their properties.

Debris Collection:

The city’s emergency debris removal contractor, Ashbritt, is scheduled for two city-funded pickups. Residents are urged to place debris curbside, ensuring it is sorted into three categories: household/construction debris, white goods (such as appliances), and landscaping debris. Regular trash and recycling services have resumed through Waste Pro.

Mail Delivery:

Mail delivery resumed on Friday for residents with functional mailboxes. Those without mailboxes will need to retrieve their mail from the Longboat Key post office. Efforts to clean up the Bradenton Beach post office are underway, though there is no set timeline for its reopening.

Access to Longboat Key:

Perry confirmed that vehicular access between Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key remains restricted, with checkpoints in place. This closure, implemented jointly by both cities, prevents non-residents from accessing Longboat Key. Motorists attempting to enter for work or mail collection continue to be turned away.

FEMA and County Assistance:

FEMA representatives arrived in Bradenton Beach on Friday morning and began assisting residents in filing claims by going door-to-door, starting at The Pines Trailer Park. Additional FEMA Corps personnel will join the effort in the coming days. Perry also mentioned plans to establish a mobile FEMA site on Bridge Street.

Meanwhile, a Manatee County needs assessment team is also conducting outreach, asking residents about their immediate needs, including food, fuel, and supplies. Residents should expect to see both FEMA and county teams in the area as recovery efforts continue.

The city remains committed to supporting its residents during this challenging time while preparing for the potential impact of additional weather events.