Note: The Bradenton Herald and McClatchy news sites have lifted the paywall on our websites for this developing story, providing critical information to readers. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription.
Manatee County is piecing itself back together after Hurricane Milton tore a path of destruction through Southwest Florida.
If you’re looking for essential items, like groceries and gas, in the aftermath — we can help.
We’ve also got you covered for essential updates on power outages, trash collection, school reopenings and more.
Here’s a post-Milton survival guide for the Bradenton area.
Where can I get gas?
As of Monday, Florida officials have opened two new Bradenton area sites offering 10 gallons of free gasoline per vehicle:
Tropicana Rail Yard, 1706 Ninth St. E., Bradenton. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 E. S.R. 64. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The sites at Tom Bennett Park and New College are no longer offering gas.
Gas stations are also starting to come back online in the Bradenton area as power and fuel supplies are restored.
The free GasBuddy app and website allow users to find nearby stations that are fueled up and ready to serve.
Where can I buy food, water and ice?
Grocery and convenience stores are reopening around Bradenton. Here are some open as of Sunday:
- Publix stores are open with modified hours, including the Holmes Beach location on Anna Maria Island. On Sunday, most local stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the grocery chain’s website .
- Walmart and Sam’s Club locations have reopened in Manatee County. Find a map of open stores on Walmart’s website .
- Winn-Dixie locations at 5805 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton and 1010 53rd Ave E, Bradenton have reopened with normal hours. The location at 5802 14th St W., Bradenton is still closed, the store’s website said, and the phone line rang busy.
- Detwiler’s Farm Market locations at 3500 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton, 1800 U.S. 301, Palmetto, and 6100 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, are open.
- Target stores in the Bradenton-Sarasota area have reopened with normal hours.
- Aldi stores around Bradenton have reopened with normal hours.
Whole Foods Market at 5298 University Parkway, Sarasota, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and resumes normal daily hours of 8 a.. to 9 p.m. starting Monday.
Costco ’s Bradenton location at 805 Lighthouse Drive is open with normal hours .
Where can I get a free meal or water?
- Manatee County Government has opened 10 sites offering free ready-to eat meals, water, pet food, tarp and other essential items. Some items are available only at specific locations. Find sites and availability at MyManatee.org/storm .
- The City of Bradenton will hand out free water to residents Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at the 13th AV Dream Center, 922 24th St. E. A valid ID showing Bradenton residence is required.
How can I check on my power issues?
Power is gradually being restored to Manatee County. As of 11 a.m. Monday, about 12% of Manatee County customers remain without power, according to electric providers. That’s down from 24% on Sunday and 80% on Thursday .
Florida Power & Light, Manatee County’s main provider, says it should have power restored to 95% of Manatee and Sarasota County customers by Wednesday. The county’s other provider, Peace River Electric Cooperative, has only 239 customers left to restore.
Report outages and keep tabs on repairs on the companies’ websites:
FPL: FPLMaps.com .
Peace River Electric Cooperative: PRECo.coop/services/outage-center .
Who do I call to report blocked roads, downed power lines, sewer issues?
Report downed power lines to Florida Power and Light or Peace River Electric Cooperative.
Downed trees, malfunctioning traffic signals and drainage and stormwater issues should be reported to your municipality:
When will my trash and debris be picked up?
Regular trash pickup will resume for Manatee County, Bradenton and Palmetto residents on Monday.
Storm debris pickup is also underway.
Bradenton officials are asking residents to separate debris into four piles at the curb: appliances, plant debris, construction debris (roofing material, metal, drywall, etc.) and electronics. Debris should not be bagged.
Manatee County officials are asking residents to separate debris into three piles at the curb: appliances, demolition and construction debris and plant debris. Debris should not be bagged.
When do schools and college campuses open?
Manatee County schools will remain closed for students on Monday, district officials said. Students were already scheduled to have the day off for a teacher record-keeping day.
District officials said they will notify parents by 5 p.m. Monday about whether schools will reopen Tuesday.
State College of Florida officials say that they hope to resume classes on Monday. An update on plans for the coming week will be announced Sunday, SCF’s website says .
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will resume classes Monday in an online-only format until further notice, the university said on its website.
Local News
Comments / 0