Beaches, boat ramps remain closed
Chadwick Park, Englewood Beach, Port Charlotte Beach Park, all boat ramps and all playgrounds remain closed until further notice.
Samaritan’s Purse helps with hurricane recovery
The nonprofit Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse has arrived in the area, and is helping people clean up and repair after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
According to its website, www.samaritanspurse.org, volunteers can help with tasks such as:
Flood cleanupSanitizingRoof tarpingChainsaw workCarrying personal belongings and furniture carried to the curb.
To find out more about the free service, visit its website or call 833-747-1234 to speak with a Samaritan’s Purse representative.
Crisis Cleaning Hotline is open
The Crisis Cleaning Hotline is open and taking calls after the devastation of both Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.
The hotline is 844-965-1386 to “assist residents with cleaning up storm-related damage,” the organization stated in a news release.
It is a part of a collection of local relief organizations, community groups and faith-based communities that offers help with muck-out, debris removal, tree clearing, or tarp installation.
All services are provided free.
For more information, visit www.gulfcoastpartnership.org.
Red Cross, FEMA teams to visit Charlotte County
Red Cross and FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will visit neighborhoods heavily affected by Hurricane Milton, Charlotte County officials said Thursday.
“Teams will visit the most heavily damaged areas first, then move on to less impacted areas. DSA teams will carry FEMA photo identification and Red Cross workers will be identified by company branding,” stated a county release Thursday afternoon.
The FEMA DSA crews will go door to door to help people apply for federal assistance, check the status of applications, identify potential needs, and make connections with organizations that can provide additional resources, the release states.
The Red Cross workers will be taking pictures of houses to document the damage in the affected area.
“The Red Cross will not enter any structures or enter posted private property to complete their assessments,” the release states.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to call the non-emergency number 941-639-2101 to report anyone who claims to be with FEMA without proper identification.
Operation Blue Roof available
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened Operation Blue Roof in Charlotte, Sarasota and DeSoto counties.
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.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-766-3258.
Multi-Agency Resource Center open
PORT CHARLOTTE — A Multi-Agency Resource Center is open inside the Port Charlotte Town Center mall, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte.
The MARC can provide local and state resources to support recovery efforts.
The MARC will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Charlotte County Transit Services is offering free rides to and from the MARC. To schedule a ride, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000.
For recovery information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Portions of Kevitt Boulevard closed for debris management
PORT CHARLOTTE — Kevitt Boulevard between North Access Road and Grouse Avenue in Port Charlotte is closed to public traffic until further notice.
The area will be used as a disaster debris management site, according to Charlotte County officials.
Drivers can expect heavy traffic as debris-hauling trucks come and go from the area.
All libraries reopen
ENGLEWOOD — Selby Library reopened this week in downtown Sarasota, Sarasota County officials announced Friday. That means all libraries are now open.
In Charlotte County, open libraries are:
• Port Charlotte Public Library, 2280 Aaron St.
• Punta Gorda Charlotte Library, 401 Shreve St.
• Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N Access Road.
The Mid-County Library remains closed following Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Comfort stations are open
Charlotte and Sarasota counties hace opened comfort stations with restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities at three locations. The comfort stations will be available for use from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily until further notice.
This facility provides residents with a safe space where they can take showers and do laundry as part of their recovery efforts.
Residents should bring their own supplies if they have them, detergent, soap, shampoo, towels.
Charlotte County:
Harold Avenue Rec Center, 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte.South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda.Fellowship Church of Englewood, 140 Rotonda Blvd. W, Rotonda West.
The Mobile Medical Clinic is also offering healthcare services at the above comfort station locations.
South Sarasota County:
VFW, 832 E. Venice Ave., Venice.George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way, North Port.
For those in need of transportation, Charlotte County Transit Services is offering rides to and from the comfort station. Residents can schedule a comfort station ride by calling the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Sarasota County Recovery Center
Sarasota County’s Disaster Recovery site operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
The facility has FEMA representatives available to assist with applications and answer questions. Applications can also be made online at disasterassistance.gov.
Some supplies are also available at the site.
Volunteer Reception Center is Open
PORT CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte County Volunteer Reception Center is open for people who would like to offer their skills to help with the disaster recovery.
The VRC is supported by the Charlotte County Community Organizations Active in a Disaster, known as COAD.
To register and receive an assignment with a response agency in need of assistance, register at the VRC, located at the Family Services Center, 21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte.
The VRC is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday).
For more information, call 941-370-2734.
Donations of clothing, household items such as cleaning supplies and household goods (no furniture) can be made at Murdock Baptist Church at 18375 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m Oct. 12.
People in need of household items due to losses from Hurricane Helene can come take items during the same timeframe.
Financial donations can be made online at www.COADFL.org.
Charlotte County extends hours at trash transfer stations
Charlotte County transfer facilities will be open Mondays through Saturdays. Gates open at 9 a.m. and gates close at 4:45 p.m. This is an extension of hours due to Hurricane Helene debris. The transfer stations are usually closed on Mondays.
• Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 19765 Kenilworth Blvd., Port Charlotte.
• West Charlotte Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 7070 Environmental Way (off Gulfstream Blvd.), Englewood.
The extended hours will be in effect through Nov. 2.
The following restrictions apply at all mini-transfer stations and drop-off locations:
• Proof of county residency is required. Residents need to bring a valid form of identification to include name, photo, and local address. Photo identification from other areas must be accompanied by a current utility bill or document showing proof of residency at a Charlotte County residential address. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted as proof of residency.
• Trailers cannot exceed 12 feet.
• Storm debris only, no household garbage or yard trimmings in bags.
• Residential only — no business or commercial use.
— Compiled by Chris Porter, chris.porter@yoursun.com
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