<body><div>County staff providing links and map<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=144nn1_0wBTL2sB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=144nn1_0wBTL2sB00" width="1100" height="532" ><figcaption>This is the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, where the Disaster Recovery Center has been set up. Image from its website</figcaption></figure>Sarasota County Government staff has been providing numerous details about resources available to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s effects on the county.Disaster Recovery CenterThe Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has opened at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, which stands at 801 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.This site has representatives available in person from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with applications and answer questions. Applications also may be made online at disasterassistance.gov.Comfort stations<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2aJvXz_0wBTL2sB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2aJvXz_0wBTL2sB00" width="1000" height="746" ><figcaption>This is a comfort station. Image courtesy Sarasota County via Facebook</figcaption></figure>Free resources at these sites are available 24 hours a day for individuals in need. Members of the public are asked to bring their own laundry supplies, including detergent and dryer sheets. Restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available at each location.<ul><li>VFW, located at 832 E. Venice Ave. in Venice.</li><li>George Mullen Activity Center, standing at 1602 Kramer Way in North Port.</li><li>Trail Plaza, located at 3333 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.</li><li>262 S. Indiana Ave. in Englewood.</li></ul>Operation Blue RoofOperation Blue Roof is available to Sarasota County residents affected by Hurricane Milton.“This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs,” county staff says.Residents can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection center throughout the affected areas.“ROE collection center locations are listed on blueroof.gov, where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.”Assistance in cleaning up damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0U141A_0wBTL2sB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0U141A_0wBTL2sB00" width="1100" height="619" ><figcaption>Image courtesy Sarasota County via Facebook</figcaption></figure>Persons who need help cleaning up damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton may turn to Crisis Cleanup, whose volunteers will muck out houses, and handle tree debris, tarps and other storm debris, county staff has pointed out.“All services are free,” a county Facebook post says, but service is not guaranteed because of “the overwhelming need.”This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 25.A person may call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 or visit crisiscleanup.org. The organization will connect callers with volunteers working with local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities.“PLEASE NOTE,” the county Facebook post stresses: “this hotline CANNOT assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. Volunteers workfree of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work.”Reduced county permit fees“Temporarily reduced fees have been implemented for work to repair documented damage from Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton. More information is available here.Storm Debris Drop-OffThe following public drop-off sites have opened for residents living in both unincorporated Sarasota County and the municipalities “who would like to self-transport vegetative storm debris,” county staff emphasizes.This is free, staff notes.The following sites are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday:<ul><li>Rothenbach Park, located at 8650 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota.</li><li>Jackson Road Transfer Station, standing at 250 S. Jackson Road in Venice.</li></ul>Proof of Sarasota County residency is required (i.e., a driver’s license, tax bill or utility bill).Residents must unload all vegetative storm debris themselves.“Volunteer groups may haul and unload vegetative storm materials on behalf of a resident,” county staff does point out.“A completed Hurricane Milton Public Drop-off Site Verification Form for Sarasota County Residents MUST be presented by volunteer groups at the time of disposal,” staff stresses. Otherwise, materials will not be accepted.No commercial debris haulers or vehicles will be permitted to use the sites.Any materials transported to the Central County Landfill for disposal will be subject to standard disposal fees.Storm debris collectionOn Monday, Oct. 14, debris vendors resumed collection of both construction and vegetative debris in unincorporated Sarasota County. The vendors began their efforts on the barrier islands and other areas of Evacuation Level A. In the coming weeks, all unincorporated areas of Sarasota County will see these vendors handling debris collections.Regular garbage, yard waste and recycling collectionsGarbage, recycling and yard waste collections for residents in unincorporated Sarasota County have resumed on roadways that are accessible to the vehicles.Properly prepared yard waste (no plastic bags) will be collected as part of the normal process. “Remember to place recycling carts separately from other materials so that collection vehicles can access them,” staff cautions.Residents may experience delays in collection services because of the increase in the amount of garbage and yard waste placed curbside over the upcoming weeks. “Please leave materials curbside if they are not collected on your regularly scheduled day,” staff adds.Resource map<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2h2ltV_0wBTL2sB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2h2ltV_0wBTL2sB00" width="1200" height="1094" ><figcaption>This is an image of part of the Resource Map, as shown in the morning of Oct. 17. Image courtesy Sarasota County</figcaption></figure>A map of available resources in Sarasota County, including vegetative debris drop-off sites and comfort stations, is available here: https://sarco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=c61e55f267604195abe71a23ecaffab0Mental health resources<ul><li>The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746.</li><li>The Mental Health Warmline is available at 800-945-1355 from 4 to 10 p.m.</li><li>The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org or text HOME to 741741.</li><li>American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center — Call 833-492-0094.</li><li>Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline — Call 800-962-2873.</li><li>The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to individuals experiencing mental-health related distress. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.</li></ul></div></body>

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Wide variety of resources available to those who have suffered structural as well as emotional effects from Hurricane Milton

Sarasota County Government staff has been providing numerous details about resources available to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s effects on the county. The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has opened at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, which stands at 801 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.