HURRICANE HELENE: Supplies, MREs available; sand drop-off site set up; lithium battery warning

Distribution Center to open Saturday with MREs, tarps, water, hygiene kits

Charlotte County has set up a distribution center for MREs, tarps, water and hygiene kits while supplies last.

The distribution center isat Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte in Macy’s parking lot while supplies last.

For storm information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.

Drop-off site for flood-deposited sand

ENGLEWOOD – A sand drop-off site is now open at the north end of the parking area in Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park, 2100 N. Beach Road, Englewood.

Sand drop-off site will be open from dawn to dusk.

The site is for the flood-deposited sand left by Hurricane Helene that needs to be removed from homes and lots in Charlotte County.

Homeowners and contractors can drop off the sand and silt for free at the drop-off site.

Removing sand from homes and bringing it to the sand drop-off site saves it from going to the landfill. It will be screened and cleaned to make sure foreign objects such as garbage and nails are removed, and it will be used for storm recovery projects.

Please do not put the sand on the beach. This is not allowable by the state and a fine could be issued if caught. Let your contractors know they can clean up your house and drop off the sand (only sand, no dirt, no muck) there free.

There may be empty sandbags at the site, but people should not leave empty or full bags and containers at the site.

For storm information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.

Officials urge safety with lithium batteries, electric vehicles

Lithium batteries exposed to floodwater should not be kept inside your home, garage, or shed, Charlotte County officials said Saturday.

Flooded batteries may deteriorate rapidly and enter an uncontrollable self-heating state, releasing gases that could result in an explosion and fast-moving fire.

Charlotte County Fire & EMS has responded to numerous fires caused by flooded lithium batteries and chargers.

Equipment that may use lithium batteries includes electric vehicles, e-bikes, scooters, golf carts, lawnmowers and tools. Homeowners with electric vehicle chargers should have their EV chargers checked by a licensed electrician before use.

For storm information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Those with internet access can find information on resources at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.

Business Damage Assessment survey available

Businesses affected by Hurricane Helene can submit a business damage assessment survey on FloridaDisaster.biz. After filling out the survey, federal, state or local agencies may reach out to you through the contact information provided if you indicate your interest.

Additional information about disaster loans and resources is also available in the survey. FloridaDisaster.biz is a partnership between Florida Commerce and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

Help available for storm cleanup

PORT CHARLOTTE — Help is available for cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene.

Crisis Cleanup connects people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with cleanup after a storm such as mucking out, trees, tarp, debris.

Anyone can call 844-965-1386 to ask for help.

This hotline will remain open through Oct. 11. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.

This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, or insurance. Volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.

For storm information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. Those with internet access can find information on resources at CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.

FPL Customer Assistance Team offering support to Charlotte County residents

The Florida Power & Light Customer Assistance Team will be on site at the Mid-County Regional Library parking lot, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to dusk.

The team will provide customers with outage updates, drinking water, and phone charging stations.

For storm information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. Those with internet access can find information on resources at CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.

County hiring temporary workers for storm cleanup

Charlotte County Human Resources is urgently seeking people to fill temporary positions related to storm cleanup and other storm-related duties.

These positions offer an immediate start date and an hourly rate of $25, with work to be assigned at various locations throughout the county. No prior experience is necessary.

Human Resources will be hosting a one-day, walk-in hiring event Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at 18500 Murdock Circle, Suite A-130, Port Charlotte.

What to Bring:

• Two forms of identification

• Banking information for payroll

Interested candidates are encouraged to attend the event. For more information, call Human Resources at 941-743-1297.

Libraries, county rec centers closed

The following Charlotte County Community Services facilities are closed until further notice:

• Punta Gorda Charlotte Library, 401 Shreve St., Punta Gorda

• Port Charlotte Library, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte

• Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road, Englewood

• Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center (currently a shelter) – 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte

• Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte

• Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center, 6961 San Casa Drive, Englewood

• South County Regional Park Recreation Center, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda

• Port Charlotte Beach Park pool, 4500 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte

• Centennial Park pool, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte

• Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center, 6961 San Casa Drive, Englewood

• South County Regional Park pool , 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda

• All Charlotte County parks are closed.

For Hurricane Helene information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. Those with internet access can find information on resources at CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.

Transit updates for Charlotte, Sarasota counties

Charlotte County Transit resumes normal operations Saturday. To schedule a ride with Charlotte County Transit, call the reservation phone number at 941-575-4000. For more information, visit charlottecountyfl.gov/transit.

In Sarasota County, Breeze OnDemand service has resumed in the North Port and Venice/Englewood zones. The Downtown/Lido Key/Longboat Key zone and the Siesta Key zone will remain suspended until the service area has been deemed safe for our drivers and passengers.

To reserve a ride, call 941-777-6000.

Sarasota County storm-related debris

Sarasota County’s debris teams indicate the most significant damage is on the barrier islands, primarily structural in nature and likely caused by water intrusion.

Debris collection contractors have been activated and are in the process of mobilizing their service teams.

In order to allow residents in these hardest hit areas time to return home and place damaged materials at the curb, collection of storm related debris materials in these areas is expected to begin on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Storm debris preparation guidelines:

• Place large storm related debris separately from regular garbage at the curb for collection

• Separate items by category (construction and demolition materials, furniture/mattresses and appliances/white goods)

• Any construction and demolition materials contained in plastic bags should be placed with the regular garbage

• Residents living outside of the barrier islands and hardest hit areas should follow current disposal guidelines for collection services. View the Solid Waste How-To Guide for Residents in Sarasota County for details. Materials, including yard waste, not properly prepared for collection will not be collected by the service provider.

• All vegetative materials, including large branches, palm fronds, tree trunks, small branches and leaves should be properly prepared for curbside collection.

Properly prepared vegetative materials should be:

• Bagged (paper only), bundled and tied or containerized

• 4 feet or less in length

• 16 inches or less in diameter

• 40 pounds or less in weight (each paper bag, bundle or container)

Items that are in bags, containers or bundles should not exceed 40 pounds. This applies to both garbage and yard waste.

Collection services: All solid waste collection services resumed Friday for residents living in unincorporated Sarasota County.

Friday collection customers should place garbage, recycling and properly prepared yard waste materials at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.