Sunday Hurricane Ian Updates: Venice's River Road closed again due to flooding
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3:15 p.m. | River Road closed again in Venice due to flooding
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is currently assisting the Florida Highway Patrol with the closure of River Road due to flooding. River Road is currently closed from Venice Av. to U.S. 41.
Venice trash pickup to resume
City of Venice officials announced that trash and recycling pickup is set to resume Monday, Oct. 3, with residents’ normal collection schedule. Carts can be placed at the curb separated from debris piles.
Read more from the city on garbage collection:
"A contractor will begin pickup of residential debris from Hurricane Ian as early as Wednesday, Oct. 5. Remember to separate vegetation from all other material groups. Vegetation should not be bagged. Piles should be separated into like materials – construction debris, appliances, electronics, etc. Make sure piles are 5 feet from your mailbox and other fixed objects like fire hydrants and street signs."
The city asks residents to be patient and says it will get to all properties.
1:05 p.m. | Sarasota County schools remain closed indefinitely, district assessing damage
Sarasota County schools will remain closed indefinitely with no official word on a timeline to reopen following damage caused by Hurricane Ian, district officials said Sunday.
Damage to schools includes power outages, downed power lines, flooding, cellular and cable outages, water and plumbing issues, and structural damage, according to district officials. The district is still assessing the situation and said it would have more information Monday regarding future planning, spokesperson Craig Maniglia said.
11:15 a.m. | Shallow flooding reported in North Venice, city says
Peak flood stage from the Myakka River caused some light flooding in North Venice early Sunday, according to a tweet from the city of Venice.
Shallow street flooding was reported across North Venice, including East Laurel Road, Venetian Golf & River Club and Toscana Isles, the city said Sunday. The river’s water level is dropping, and the city said it will continue to closely monitor the area.
“Please use caution when driving through shallow areas and do not walk through the flood waters,” the city said on Twitter. The flooding is expected to start receding on Sunday and disappear within the next few days.
All areas of North Venice were currently accessible for emergency response as of Sunday around 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. | Three more Sarasota County water and food distribution points opened
Three more distribution points for water and food have opened in Sarasota County today, bringing to total to five. They will be open as long as supplies last.
Here's where you can find them:
Hyundai of Venice, 200 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice.
Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.
Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave, Venice. you can find them:
Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.
San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port
10:25 a.m. | University Town Center flooding should lessen on Sunday, mall says
Teams at University Town Center are working with Sarasota County stormwater management to control flooding in the parking lot in the West District, mall officials said.
Lauren Clark, marketing and sponsorship director for The Mall at University Town Center, said Sunday morning that storm water pumps are in place to help get the flooded water where it needs to go.
“Guests should see a big difference in water later today as they visit the West District and Cattlemen [Road],” Clark said. “There is still no pooling water at The Mall.”
Clark said Saturday that the flooding was caused by storm drain backup related to county drainage systems in the West District, which includes tenants like Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ulta Beauty and Bed Bath & Beyond. Rainfall from Hurricane Ian caused stormwater ponds near Nathan Benderson Park to reach capacity, Sarasota County spokesperson Brianne Grant said Saturday.
The county did not immediately provide an update on the flooding Sunday morning.
9:20 a.m. | Power Outages: 36% without power in Sarasota County, most will be restored by Oct. 9
Florida Power and Light officials released predicted power restoration dates for much of Florida yesterday, but don't expect specific predictions for your neighborhood.
According to a release, FPL predicts that 95% of its Sarasota County customers will have their power restored by Sunday, Oct. 9. The outlook is a little better in Manatee County, with most of the county at 95% by Wednesday and the rest by Sunday, Oct. 9.
As of this morning, 36% of households in Sarasota County are still without power, 25% in Manatee County.
More than 2.1 million FPL customers lost power during Hurricane Ian and approximately 1.5 million have been restored, according to the company.
9:10 a.m.| Two Sarasota County libraries will open on Monday
According to an announcement from Sarasota County Public Libraries, two locations will reopen on Monday, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota, FL 34236
Gulf Gate Public Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231
And don't worry about returning books by their due dates:
"Please hold on to all materials until you can safely visit any of our locations. As a reminder, we do not charge fines for overdue materials so there is no rush to get your items back to us," said the announcement.
9:00 a.m. | Water and food distribution sites open today in North Port and Englewood
"Food and water will be available today at San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, for residents in need following the impacts of Hurricane Ian," according to a press release from the City of North Port
After Sarasota County announced yesterday six distribution sites across the county, delays in deliveries due to closed roads and flooding pushed back the opening of most of the sites.
Two will be open today as long as supplies last, according to the latest update from the county:
Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.
San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port
"Supplies arrived overnight and early this morning at the distribution site and will be available while they last. No tarps or ice are available at this time," said the North Post release.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sunday Hurricane Ian Updates: Venice's River Road closed again due to flooding
