After the Storm

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News

April 29, 2025

U.S. Small Business Administration Business Recovery Center in Sarasota has closed.

Visit sba.gov/disaster to get more information about disaster relief loans and to apply online. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1
to access telecommunications relay services.

 

Feb. 12, 2025

Statewide residential mitigation program: Elevate Florida
Notice: The Elevate Florida application process is closed.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is excited to announce Florida's first statewide Residential Mitigation program, Elevate Florida. The goal of this program is to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences against natural hazards. 

The following projects are eligible under the statewide Residential Mitigation program:

  • Structure Elevation: Physically raising an existing structure utilizing a variety of methods
  • Mitigation Reconstruction: Construction of an improved, elevated building where an existing building has been partially or completely demolished or destroyed
  • Structure Acquisition: A local community purchases a structure from voluntary sellers and the structure is demolished

To apply, create an account and complete the application on the Elevate Florida Portal.  You speed up the application process by putting together the following information:

  • Photos of any flooding inside or outside of the home (if available)
  • Photos of high-water marks and photos measuring the height of the marks
  • Insurance claim payouts or assistance documentation (if available)
  • Receipts or estimates for repairs from previous events
  • Records and receipts for any disaster-related assistance received
  • A list of aesthetic alterations to the home and year completed (if home is over 45 years old)
    • Window/door replacement
    • Roof replacement
    • Remodeling
    • Painting or re-siding
    • Additions, decks, landings, or garages
    • Any historic use of structure

If you have any questions about the program, please email ResidentialMitigation@em.myflorida.com. You may also visit the Residential Mitigation Program Website, which will be updated as new developments are published.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are City parks open?

Our Parks and Recreation Department worked tirelessly to restore our City parks following Summer 2024's hurricanes. While the majority of City parks are open and restored at this point, multiple parks sustained heavy damage and will require extended recovery efforts.

City staff have assessed damages, discussed restoration and reimbursement options with FEMA, and have been assembling a timeline for design, procurement, and construction. Several of our City parks will require extensive repair, with 16 projects in the design phase totaling $17.4 million.

These projects will require significant time to complete and, for the safety of the public, project areas are cordoned off or fenced during this time. Staff currently estimates that permanent repairs will be completed by early 2027. This will ensure that FEMA guidelines are followed for reimbursement of repair costs.

We appreciate your continued patience as we work diligently to restore our City's parks.


How do I report marine debris?

Marine debris is being collected and disposed of by a state contractor. If you see marine debris in our local waterways or canals, please report it to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. You can use their online form atwww.FloridaDebrisCleanup.com or call 850-366-6007. The call center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


A streetlight isn't working. How do I report it?

City of Sarasota Public Works crews are actively working to repair streetlights.

Many non-functioning streetlights are owned and maintained by Florida Power and Light. FPL light poles can be identified by a metal plate strapped around the pole with an 11-13 digit pole number or it could have a black decal with yellow numbers attached to the pole.

To report a FPL streetlight outage, contact Florida Power & Light at 800-4-OUTAGE (688-243) and provide the address and pole number.


I'm planning to visit Sarasota soon. What are the conditions?

Information about travel conditions in the Sarasota-Manatee region is available on the Visit Sarasota website

Visitors also can email the visitor center at info@visitsarasota.com or call/text the visitor center at 941-706-1253.


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