Manatee County Residents’ Resources for Milton Recovery
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 12, 2024) – Help is on the way for Manatee County residents seeking assistance in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
Understanding that many residents are in need due to Hurricane Milton, Manatee County has launched an online self-reporting tool to help determine priorities and respond faster. Please go to mymanatee.org/miltonhelp to request immediate needs—food, water, medical assistance or other essentials. This will help the county assess and respond to needs appropriately.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance through December 11. Citizens should note that a separate application must be made for Milton assistance, even if applications were filled out for FEMA assistance involving Hurricane Debby or Hurricane Helene.
Those seeking benefits must apply in one of three ways:
Going to DisasterAssistance.gov
Using the FEMA APP
Calling 800-621-3362
A total of 60 clients remain in the special needs evacuation center as county staff works to ensure they can go back to home with power. A Red Cross shelter is now open at First Methodist Church (603 11th St. W., Bradenton), to provide temporary shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Milton. Pets must be brought in crates. For additional information, please download the Red Cross app.
In coordination with Pafford Medical Services, Manatee County has opened two Health and Wellness Centers to serve residents affected by Hurricane Milton. The locations are in Rubonia/Palmetto (1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto), and the Island communities (5701 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach). These locations are scheduled to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (subject to change). Services include wound care and treatment, and general wellness checks. Tetanus and Tdap vaccinations and any additional support for hurricane victims.
Continued hard work from Manatee County Public Works crews have brought an additional 20 intersection lights back online today, with a total of 151 now in normal operations, 40 on generator power and 24 in flash mode. 95 signals are still needing attention, but steady progress is being made toward a more typical Monday morning commute. Drivers are still advised to treat any intersection without or malfunctioning signals as a four-way stop.
It is important to remember that despite many of the island communities reopening for residents and business owners to clean-up, our beaches remain closed currently for storm repairs until further notice.
Please continue to monitor the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.