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Tag: hurricane relief

One month and we’re still standing

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

It’s been a month since Milton disturbed our idyllic lifestyle. The hurricane came in as a strong Category 3 storm, fortunately weakening before making landfall due to an increasing wind shear as it turned northeast.

That’s not to say Milton didn’t do a lot of damage along Florida’s coastal communities, generating tornados but fortunately, no tidal surge. Anna Maria Island, which was still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s flooding, was at least spared another flood event, freeing island residents and businesses to continue the cleanup from Helene as well as tackling Milton’s damage.

There was legislation effective July 1 of this year to help keep condominiums safer from hurricanes in the form of grants to improve the stability of condominiums. Whether or not these grants can be applied for after a storm is unclear. The way I read it, the grants are for reinforcing condominium structures in the event of a storm. Nevertheless, as we all know, there will be other storms.

I mentioned this program briefly the week after the storm but here are some more details.

The My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program is an extension of the My Safe Florida Home program. This is designed to enhance the resilience of condominiums against hurricanes and reduce insurance costs.

The program provides licensed inspectors, grants and guidelines for hurricane mitigation projects funded by the state. The state would spend $2 for every $1 spent by eligible condominium associations for structural hurricane improvements. In addition, they will cover up to half the cost of roof-related projects and up to $1,500 per unit for doors and windows. There is a maximum grant of $175,000 available for each condo association.

To apply for a grant, an association must receive approval by a majority vote of the board of directors or a majority vote of the total voting interests of the association to participate in the pilot program. Also, the association will need a unanimous vote of all unit owners within the structure or building that is the subject of the mitigation grant. A unit owner cannot participate individually in the pilot program, and implementation of this pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriations for grants for eligible condominium associations.

After approval, the mitigation inspection grants for eligible associations may be used for the following improvements:

• Opening protection including exterior doors, garage doors, windows and skylights;

• Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections;

• Improving the strength of roof-deck attachments; and

• Secondary water resistance for roof.

There is more information and additional details about this bill on the myfloridahouse.gov website under HB 1029. Condominium association board members and property managers should seek the advice of an attorney familiar with legislative bills to see if your association may qualify for a grant before making an application.

We’re all still getting over the post-traumatic stress disorder that many of us have from Helene and Milton, and some of us never will. Certainly, a month is too soon for a full recovery. At least the roadside debris is starting to disappear and beaches are reopening, giving us a sense of normalcy. All we can do is move forward, work towards making our properties more secure, and keep standing. This, too, shall pass.

Rotary Club seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

Rotary seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – The storm surge from Hurricane Helene not only flooded homes in Cortez, but it also destroyed many vehicles there.

To help residents recover their means of mobility, The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island has initiated a vehicle and bicycle donation program.

“A significant number of our neighbors have lost their vehicles during the recent hurricanes and are now left with no transportation to work and do simple things, such as buy groceries,” The Rotary Club posted on its Facebook page,

The club is accepting donations of used cars and bicycles to help these individuals get back on their feet.

“Do you own a car that you no longer need? We would love to take it off your hands and are able to offer drivers for vehicles not located on the Island. This is a way to truly make a difference in our community while making a tax-deductible donation for the value of your vehicle,” the Facebook post continues.

“We’re working from a list,” Rotary Board Member Bob Slicker said. “We’re starting first in Cortez village then on to Sunny Shores and then we’ll move out from there.”

Slicker said the first on the list is an 87-year-old individual with cancer who needs a means to get back and forth to treatments.

“Three people in their home, the car was ruined in the storm. The oldest person in the home is going through cancer treatment,” Slicker wrote on his personal Facebook page. “This car will help them get to and from, treatments and work. I know someone knows that somebody that has a car they are not using. Won’t you consider this life-changing donation?”

Slicker said 17 donated bicycles have been distributed and donations of working bikes will be appreciated. He said Bring on the Ministry is repairing some donated bicycles.

Slicker said he has been involved in hurricane relief efforts for more than 20 years.

“I know what people need right away after a storm,” he said. “There are health needs now and financial needs.”

The Rotary Club also provides meals daily at the Sunny Shores distribution center.

They also provided dehumidifiers to locals including the Cortez Cultural Center, the Cortez Church of Christ and multiple residences. The Rotary has donated 20 mini-refrigerators to residents.

Slicker has been personally affected by recent hurricanes both at his home and his restaurant, Slicker’s Eatery.

“We are all in this together,” he said.

At a recent fundraiser, more than $17,000 was raised for The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island to benefit Cortez and the surrounding area.

“Thank You, Harbor Landings. A two-hour party, just over 50 people, live music, thank you, Mike Sales, silent auction and a live auction, BYOB, that’s all it took,” Slicker wrote on his Facebook page following the fundraiser.

Donations to the hurricane relief efforts may be made at: https://ami-rotary-helene.square.site/

Those having a car they wish to donate can call Slicker at 941-650-2333.

As a way of helping restaurant workers who have been out of work since the hurricanes, Slicker’s will be hosting a hurricane relief party in the parking lot at 12012 Cortez Road W. on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2-7 p.m. Live music will be provided by Billy Rice from 2-4 p.m. and Dos Macs with Smokin’ Joe from 5-7 p.m.

Food and drinks are free to hurricane victims and all donations will be given to employees of four local restaurants.

Recovering after Hurricane Helene

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

The days following a disaster are critical in storm recovery. It’s important that while you’re working to clean up that you also take advantage of community resources.

The Better Business Bureau recommends:

• Assess the damage – take pictures, contact your insurance company, document damage and don’t make any permanent repairs until you get approval from your insurance company;

• Clean and make temporary repairs – make minor repairs to help limit further damage, clean up standing water, remove debris and treat the property for mold. Wear protective clothing including close-toed shoes, gloves and masks while cleaning;

• Hire a contractor – once you get the go-ahead from your insurance company, hire a contractor to complete permanent repairs. Get references, do your research, look out for price gouging and make sure you read and understand everything you sign. Get written contract agreements, never pay in full in advance and contact your local building department to ensure the contractor is licensed in your area.

One major thing to look out for is “storm chasers,” people who take advantage of those suffering in the wake of a natural disaster. These people may pose as insurance claim adjusters, contractors or others offering unsolicited repairs or work for a price. Offers to purchase damaged homes should be viewed skeptically.

A great source of help for those recovering from a storm is the FEMA website. Visit www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene to see what emergency and financial assistance is available to you. Assistance can include vouchers for hotel and Airbnb rentals, emergency utility, clothing and housing assistance, food and other assistance. If you qualify for FEMA assistance, it’s important to apply quickly.

In Manatee County, you can also visit www.mymanatee.org/storm to register for local assistance.

Business owners can contact the Small Business Administration for loans and relief options at www.sba.gov.

Local fishermen help those devastated by Ian

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Cortez, Featured.

CORTEZ – The local commercial fishing community has mobilized to help their southern counterparts following the devastation from Hurricane Ian.

The Organized Fisherman of Florida (OFF) Cortez chapter has already made one boat trip to Pine Island to deliver supplies to fellow fishermen who lost everything, and more trips are planned.

OFF Executive Director Alexis Meschelle is spearheading the campaign with her husband, OFF President Nathan Meschelle.

“When our guys saw that fish houses down there that had been in existence for three generations were gone, their boats were gone, their traps were gone, we knew we had to help,” she said. “We couldn’t imagine what that would be like to lose all that. And we knew that they would do the same for us.”

Another boat will be going down in about a week, she said, adding that supplies also are being sent to Arcadia.

“Right now, there’s a high need for coolers, propane and non-perishable foods,” Alexis said. “We can slow down a little bit on clothing.

“This started off small, we thought maybe we would help 20 families,” she said. “But I was told that our donations have already helped over 4,000 people. I am honestly so impressed with our community.”

According to the OFF Facebook page, drop-off sites and needs are as follows:

Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, 4628 119th St. W. in Cortez. – Coolers and baby items. Additional supplies are needed, but these things are of high importance now. Please drop items off with the hostess.

A.P. Bell Fish Co., 4600 124th St. Court W. in Cortez – Everything, particularly non-perishable foods, dog food, cat food, horse feed, ice, gas, clothes, baby items and generators. Please drop items off with Savannah at the office.

P.J.’s Sandwich Shop, 12342 U.S. 301 in Parrish. Same as at A.P. Bell. Please drop items off with Theresa.

According to the A.P. Bell Fish Co. website, “We are looking for donations for Arcadia as they are still underwater and most people have no homes. We are looking for toilet paper, dog food, cat food, non-perishable food, fuel for generators, soap, feminine hygiene products, baby food, diapers and blankets. Please drop at A.P. Bell in Cortez or PJ’s Sandwich Shop in Parrish.”

Donations may also be made through Venmo to Organized Fisherman of Florida.

roser relief group

Roser group helps with hurricane response

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Churches, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – When Hurricane Michael made landfall Oct. 10 in the Florida Panhandle near Mexico Beach as a Category 4 storm, it left devastation for residents and business owners in its wake. A group of seven people from Roser Memorial Community Church traveled to the area Nov. 11 for a five-day trip to help bring help and hope to the area.

The group, including Rev. Neil Crowell, David Cheshire, Dan Luckenbill, Ruth Martin, Matt Meehan, Mike Pescitelli and Randy Swain drove in a caravan to Wewahitcha, Fla., in the Panhandle which served as their base camp. During the day, they traveled 20 miles to Mexico Beach to help with cleanup efforts and providing emotional support to residents still stunned by the magnitude of the storm.

roser mexico beach
This photo shows some of the devastation in Mexico Beach, FL following Hurricane Michael coming ashore in the Panhandle. Many beachfront homes disappeared or became rubble piles across the street. – Submitted

Meehan said he’s been on three similar disaster relief trips, all sponsored by the church and Samaritan’s Purse, and this was “by far the worst” damage he’d encountered.

“It was total devastation,” he said, likening the visual experience to seeing the site of a meteorite crash.

“It was like a huge tornado had come in and just sat there,” Swain said. “What wasn’t torn up was completely moved.”

roser house
During Hurricane Michael, one Mexico Beach home was pushed off its foundation and into a neighboring residence. – Submitted

Luckenbill said he was “dumbfounded” by the damage to the area and the amount of need that exists in the Panhandle as residents try to work their way back to a semblance of normalcy.

“It’s catastrophic damage,” he said.

The group spent five days working 10 hours a day to help residents remove belongings from damaged structures, put tarps on roofs, tear out damaged drywall and listen as residents told their stories to relief workers. Volunteers also helped prepare meals for volunteers and the community, clean and direct residents to local relief resources.

“People just don’t know who to turn to,” Pescitelli said.

“Sometimes the homeowners just need someone to talk to,” Swain said. “The work will get done.”

In addition to helping bring hope to the storm’s victims with their presence and work, the group also helped residents locate assistance by way of supplies, food, clothing and other aide outside of government services. Meehan said this is the first disaster relief trip he’s been a part of where there were no FEMA trailers on the ground to provide temporary shelter. Pescitelli said most of the people he spoke with are staying with friends or family members located 50 miles or more away from their ruined homes and travel daily to help pick up the pieces of their lives. Some people in the area also are staying in tents.

“These people’s lives have just been darkened,” Swain said. “We wanted to help them see that God loves them enough to help them get their lives started again.”

The disaster relief group has turned into a formal ministry of the church in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse. The team from Roser was just seven of more than 100 volunteers from across the country and Canada who came to the area to help out.

“It renews your hope for the citizens of this world,” Luckenbill said. “You just leave with a new energy, vigor and faith in humanity.”

“We support each other as much as we support the victims,” Meehan said, adding that despite having their own issues to deal with, each volunteer gave up a week of their time to join the group and help those in need.

Luckenbill said he believes there are three sections to the work that needs to be done with disaster relief missions – bring hope, love and joy to the people affected, help with the physical work and spread fellowship and volunteerism within the community and volunteers onsite.

Pescitelli said seeing the good work the group accomplished during the trip and the work that Samaritan’s Purse is doing to assist disaster victims has encouraged him to become more physically and financially involved in the relief efforts, something he hopes other people will do as well.

To see volunteer opportunities with Samaritan’s Purse or learn more about their disaster relief effort, visit their website.

hurricane michael relief supplies

Hurricane relief donations

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, through Anna Maria City Hall, is collecting items to send to the areas hit by Hurricane Michael last week. The hallway at city hall was already full of items donated by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers on Monday. The collection period ends Sunday, Oct. 21. City hall is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

New items being collected include toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes/combs, hair ties, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Chapstick, soap/body wash, body lotion, first-aid kits and items, razors, shaving cream, feminine products, sanitary wipes/gel, sunscreen, insect repellant, laundry soap, cleaning supplies, towels, sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, flip flops, water shoes, work gloves, shovels, rakes, saws, empty gas cans, flashlights, batteries, tarps, ropes, box fans, extension cords, paper plates, plastic silverware and cups, mops and brooms and Ziploc bags and trash bags, pet food and supplies and baby products such as diapers, formula and bottles, wipes, baby food (no glass, please) baby wash and shampoo. Donate canned food only.

Cash is not accepted; money can be donated to the Red Cross.

Holmes Beach police also involved

The Holmes Beach Police Department is partnering with Manatee County Search and Rescue to be a drop off location for hurricane relief goods to be transported to the Panhandle. Items may be delivered to the police station, 5801 Marina Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 21.

You can also drop them off at the following Beef O’Brady’s locations:

8913 US-301 N Parrish

1795 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Bradenton

4286 53rd Ave E (corner of Lockwood Ridge Road and SR 70)

Items requested include duct tape, tarps, cleaning supplies, toys for little children, clothes such as T-shirts, socks, underwear and shoes, plus other nonperishable items like diapers, personal hygiene and feminine products.

There also is a desperate need for pants and boots for the first responders. Any help would be appreciated.

Related coverage

Police taking donations for hurricane victims

Hurricane relief drive taking place in Cortez

Police taking donations for hurricane victims

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Police Department is working with Manatee County Search and Rescue to gather supplies for first responders and residents in the Florida Panhandle affected by Hurricane Michael.

Items requested include duct tape, tarps, cleaning supplies, toys for small children, clothes, underwear, socks, shoes, fatigues, nonperishable food items, diapers, personal hygiene products and feminine hygiene products. Items most needed include T-shirts, underwear, socks and shoes. First responders in the area also are requesting pants and boots.

Donations can be dropped off at the HBPD, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Supplies are being collected through Friday with delivery this coming weekend to the panhandle. For more information, contact the HBPD at 941-708-5804.