Venice moves toward Hurricane Ian cleanup; I-75 exit reopens at Sumter Boulevard in North Port
A church-based disaster-relief group set up in the parking lot of a First Baptist Church in Venice, but two other area Neighborhood Points of Distribution have closed as aid providers concentrate on more hard-hit areas in south Sarasota County.
Travel south to North Port improved early Tuesday as the Florida Highway Patrol announced the Sumter Boulevard exit off of Interstate 75 reopened.
The relief group at First Baptist Church, 312 W. Miami Ave., in Venice is offering community services such as tarping damaged homes and clearing downed trees.
Showers are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. daily.
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Tarps, food, water and ice were available Tuesday morning at the two remaining Neighborhood Points of Distribution – Englewood Center Plaza, 200 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood, and San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port.
North Port provides routine updates on its webpage: northportfl.gov/alerts as conditions continue to improve.
Roads in the hardest-hit areas of North Port were under as much as 10 feet of water, city Emergency Services Director Mike Ryan said Monday.
The Englewood Water District is still asking customers to be as conservative as possible, to not overwhelm the sewer system. Too many showers, loads of laundry and dishwasher uses might overwhelm the system.
A boil-water notice is still in effect in Englewood. Boiling water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes is advised. Bring water to a rolling boil and boil it for at least one minute, then let it cool before use.
Venice is closer to a return to normal, after massive damage at the Venice Theatre, destruction of hangars at the Municipal Airport, an Ian-related fire that claimed six mobile homes at Country Club Estates, and other damage.
“We’re very much focused on cleanup and our residents are very focused on that too,” city spokeswoman Lorraine Anderson said Tuesday.
Contractors will begin picking up storm debris in Venice on Wednesday.
“The big thing is helping us out in that endeavor, making sure the piles are separated out in like materials,” Anderson added, suggesting groupings of vegetation, aluminum and appliances.
Not everything will get picked up Wednesday, but contractors are moving as quickly as possible.
Normal garbage pickup also has resumed.
The Venice Municipal Airport, which initially was open after Hurricane Ian, is now closed so insurance adjusters can inspect it for damage.
“I don’t think that will be long-term,” Anderson said.
Venice High School, at 1 Indian Ave., still is serving as a hurricane evacuation center for people displaced from their homes; and Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice continues to receive patients.
A Disaster Medical Assistance Team set up a 30-bed tent facility there Sunday. The federal team of 37 doctors, nurses, physician assistants, paramedics and pharmacists are expected to be there at least a week, providing patient surge support for the 110-bed facility.
Venice City Hall was expected to open to the public Wednesday.
Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hurricane Ian: Venice moves toward cleanup; I-75 exit reopens
