Image courtesy Sarasota County: Water distribution point.

President Joe Biden visited the Gulf Coast Sunday to survey damage from Hurricane Milton. The trip came a day after he declared a major disaster in counties including Sarasota and Manatee, something Florida’s congressional delegation had requested in a letter led by U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

“In order to help our constituents and our communities recover and rebuild, we require the full support of the federal government,” Buchanan said. “A Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton will do just that and unlock critical resources and federal funding for our state, residents and local communities.” 

Biden’s trip was to St. Petersburg. On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Bradenton to survey damage and assure state resources were available. That includes some programs for businesses specifically.

Florida Commerce announced $50 million was available to Milton-impacted businesses through a Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Most companies in counties impacted by the storm can receive loans of up to $50,000, with agriculture and aquaculture businesses able to receive loans of up to $100,000 and some citrus or cattle businesses able to secure as much as $150,000. These loans are intended to bridge the gap to address immediate needs while waiting for insurance claims and federal relief to be made available.

Businesses can learn more and apply at FloridaJobs.org/EBL or call 833-832-4494 during business hours.

Meanwhile, Sarasota and Manatee county local officials over the weekend distributed water, food and tarps to residents most impacted by the storm, which made landfall in Siesta Key last Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. Local governments also set out to address the high amounts of debris, including that left over from Hurricane Helene, which impacted the area weeks ago.

A North Port email update said Solid Waste staff worked through the weekend and said most from the storm will be picked up by crews with regular yard waste collection, while additional yard waste pickup will be over the next several weeks.

In Sarasota, officials said a number of water lines were broken by the storm, and efforts to restore them have revealed more breaks in the line.

“Once the mainland water system is stabilized, we’ll be able to restore water service on the barrier islands,” reads an update on the city’s Facebook page. “We anticipate that will be Monday at the earliest, depending on the severity of the line breaks. Please be patient. If you can limit your water usage on the mainland that will help.”

In Manatee County, officials on Sunday lifted a boil water advisory in effect on barrier island communities including Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Meanwhile, the county is already urging residents to apply for relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has resources available at DisasterAssistance.gov.

State officials are also helping direct residents to resources, while also taking time to survey the region. State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, took a tour with Buchanan of areas of Manatee impacted by the storm.

“The beloved Rod & Reel Pier on AMI is destroyed. Many families, including my own, have made so many memories at this cherished spot over the last 77 years. Heartbreaking to see it this way,” he posted on X. “I joined Vern Buchanan to check out the Anna Maria City pier, too. We have work to do!”

Image courtesy Sarasota County: Water distribution point.