Longboat Key Fire Rescue opens island to essential workers

LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department opens the island at 5 p.m. in Tier Two re-entry.

The re-entry will only include properties from the south end up to 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive due to gas leaks throughout the island.

Re-entry will only be allowed to:

• Healthcare agencies
• Insurance agents
• Bank staff
• Food purveyors
• Hardware stores
• Gas stations
• Condominium managers and critical staff
• Other business operators critical to the town’s recovery

Residents cannot re-enter at this time due to gas leaks throughout the island.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue is currently on the island assessing damages and recovery.

Due to a gas leak on the north side of the island, the island will remain closed until that has been fixed, according to Chief Dezzi.

Chief Dezzi is currently talking with Sarasota County to get water back on in Longboat Key.

Longboat Key also does not have any power on the island, and they are currently working on getting power back on to 50% of the island by the end of the day, according to FPL.

Once the gas leak has been fixed, Longboat Key will allow property owners and business owners back on the island.

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