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Frequently asked questions

How many passes will there be for storm debris pickup?

It is unknown at this time how many passes there will be for storm debris pickup. The community will be notified prior to the last pass.

An interactive map is now available to see the status of storm debris collection. Click here for the map.

You are encouraged to place your storm debris curbside as soon as possible and observe these rules:

Do not use plastic bags

Separate debris into 4 piles:

1. Construction debris – fencing, carpeting, dry wall and other flood-impacted construction materials

2. White goods - appliances including refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units and water heaters

3. Bulk items – furniture and accessories, mattresses and other items affected by flood water within a home or structure

4. Vegetative debris – downed tree branches, limbs and vegetative material including regular yard waste

Please note: Commingled debris will not be picked up by the contractors. Materials must be separated.

Debris piles should be 6 feet from any trees, mailboxes, utility boxes, etc. to allow space for collection equipment to maneuver

Do not place debris piles in the street or blocking the sidewalk

Vehicles should be parked away from debris piles

Questions? Call the Storm Debris Hotline: 833-947-7739. Calls will be answered 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily with the option to leave a message after hours.

When will regular yard waste pickup resume?

A streetlight isn't working. How do I report it?

City of Sarasota Public Works crews are actively working to repair streetlights.

Many non-functioning streetlights are owned and maintained by Florida Power and Light. FPL light poles can be identified by a metal plate strapped around the pole with an 11-13 digit pole number or it could have a black decal with yellow numbers attached to the pole.

To report a FPL streetlight outage, contact Florida Power & Light at 800-4-OUTAGE (688-243) and provide the address and pole number.

What resources are available for those affected by Hurricane Milton?

𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧.

After a major weather event like Hurricane Milton, there are a wide variety of available resources for those who experienced impacts from the storm. Some of the most important resources available to Sarasota residents can be found below:

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫: A Disaster Recovery Center is available to impacted residents and provides face-to-face assistance from FEMA and SBA representatives. The DRC is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail.

𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Federal aid is available to Sarasota residents impacted by Hurricane Milton. To apply for disaster assistance through FEMA, residents can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: Recovery assistance is available to businesses in Sarasota impacted by Hurricane Milton. For information and additional resources, visit Sarasotafl.gov/business-resources and select "Business Hurricane Assistance" from the menu.

𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩-𝐨𝐟𝐟: Sarasota County (including City of Sarasota) residents can drop off vegetative debris free of charge at two locations. The closest vegetative debris drop-off location to the City of Sarasota located at Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road. Sites are open Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐟: Residents whose roofs were damaged by Hurricane Milton can sign up for free assistance through Operation Blue Roof, which provides and installs temporary roof coverings until more permanent repairs can be completed. To sign up, call 888-ROOF-BLU or visit blueroof.gov

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Individuals needing a place to get out of the heat and use showers or laundry services can visit a Comfort Station located inside city limits at 3333 N. Tamiami Trail.

Are City parks open?

Our Parks and Recreation Department is making remarkable progress in restoring our parks and green spaces to beautiful, accessible areas for everyone to enjoy. As we work diligently on cleanup and repairs, we kindly ask all visitors to exercise caution and respect any safety signage in affected parks.

Open Recreation Facilities: Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, Bobby Jones Golf Club, Payne Park Tennis Center, and Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

Closed Recreation Facilities: Lido Beach Pool has sustained significant storm damage and will remain closed until it is safe and operational. The Sarasota Municipal Auditorium is closed until further notice as it serves as a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.

Open Parks: Charles Ringling Park, David Cohen Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Firehouse Park, Fredd "Glossie" Atkins Park, J.D. Hamel Park / War Memorial, Lemon Avenue Mall, Links Plaza Park, Little Five Points Park, Mary Dean Park, Nature Park at Bobby Jones, North Water Tower Park, Orange Avenue Park, Overtown Square, Paul Thorpe Park, Payne Park/Payne Skate Park, Pomelo Park, Robarts Memorial Park, Selby Five Points Park, Seminole Linear Park, St. Armand's Circle Park, and The Bay.

Partially Open Parks: Some parks have reopened but may have limited access, including Arlington Park, Centennial Park, Eastwood Park, Gillespie Park, Pioneer Park, Sapphire Shores Park, and Whitaker Gateway Park. Please respect any safety signage or barricades.

Closed Parks: A.B. Smith Park, Bayfront Park and Marina/Island Park, Bird Key Park, Bonita Park, Circus Trail Nature Park, Ernest "Doc" and Eloise Werlin Park / Tony Saprito Fishing Pier, Galvin Park, Gulfstream Park, Indian Beach Park, Ken Thompson Park, Laurel Park, Luke Wood Park North, Luke Wood Park South, McClellan Park, Nora Patterson Bay Island Park North, North Lido Beach Park, San Remo Park, Sarasota Bay Walk.

I’m planning to visit Sarasota soon. What are the conditions?

Alerts/Updates

Nov. 12, 2024

Sarasota Disaster Recovery Center to Close Temporarily

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, will close temporarily at noon Tuesday, Nov. 12. The center will reopen at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 for regular hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nov. 8, 2024

Disaster Recovery Centers Closed for Veterans Day Holiday

All Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Centers will resume their normal hours Tuesday, Nov. 12.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces last call for Operation Blue Roof applications

Eligible homeowners should apply by Nov. 14 to be considered for assistance through Operation Blue Roof. Once an application has been submitted and validated, contractors will assess damage, install a temporary roof covering, and an inspection will be conducted by the USACE.

Visit blueroof.gov or call 888-766-3258 to apply.

Nov. 7, 2024

How to report waterway debris for cleanup

If you see waterway debris, please report it through Florida Division of Emergency Management's online form or by calling 850-366-6007 for debris or 888-404-3922 for derelict vessels. Your help makes a difference in keeping our waterways safe and thriving.

Nov. 4, 2024

FEMA assistance available for self-employed Floridians

FEMA assistance can help with those who are self-employed including artists, musicians and mechanics. Independent contractors are considered self-employed. To be considered for FEMA assistance, you must have had damage or losses as the result of Florida hurricanes.

FEMA can help replace tools and equipment for self-employment. Eligible tools may include: computers, power tools, art materials, musical instruments, tractors, lawnmowers and ladders.

To be eligible for self-employment assistance, apply for FEMA assistance. You can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362.

Pre-registration now open for food assistance program

Online pre-registration for Disaster-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is open for the following counties: Sarasota, Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Polk Sunday, Nov. 3 through Friday, Nov. 8 at 11:59 p.m.

After pre-registration is complete, applicants must call the D-SNAP Call Center: 888-348-0408 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the designated day listed below to complete a phone interview:

Last name begins with A-F: Call Monday, Nov. 4
Last name begins with G-N: Call Wednesday, Nov. 6
Last name begins with O-Z: Call Thursday, Nov. 7
Any last name: Call Friday, Nov. 8

The D-SNAP call center will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 5 for Election Day.

D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, D-SNAP is implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families (Department).

Preservation specialists offer advice on salvaging treasured items

Save Your Family Treasures Program specialists will be at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 through Nov. 7

Disaster Recovery Center: Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg

Nov. 2, 2024

Storm debris collection map available

An interactive map is available to see the status of storm debris collection in the Sarasota city limits.

Users can enter an address or choose a current location, select a zone within the map, and zoom in to see individual street segments.

Since Oct. 16, 2024, contractors have picked up 4,069 loads and removed 143,805 cubic yards or 201,327 tons of storm debris. Based on initial estimates, roughly 30% of the debris from the back-to-back major hurricanes has been collected.

Questions? Please call the Storm Debris Hotline: 833-947-7739 daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nov. 1, 2024

Regular yard waste collection to resume Monday, Nov. 4

Regular curbside yards waste pickup will resume Monday, Nov. 4 with standard yard waste preparation rules in place. Please place yard waste in:

Paper bags
Reusable containers
Bundles weighing less than 50 pounds

Reminder: Plastic bags will not be collected.

Oct. 31, 2024

Lido Beach will reopen Saturday, Nov. 2nd following significant impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Regular pre-storm amenities will be available for beachgoers including the Lido Beach Pavilion parking lot, beach access walkways, public restrooms and popular concession stand, Lido Island Grill. Lifeguards also will be on duty.

City of Sarasota Public Works, Parks and Recreation crews and contractors have worked tirelessly the past several weeks to restore Lido Beach facilities so the area could reopen to the public.