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FOX13 Covers Lasting Manatee’s Community Outreach One Year After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Published

Oct 2, 2025

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Inside the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center, a staff member of Lasting Manatee speaks on camera while FOX13's reporter holds a microphone while their cameraman films. The room has desks and monitors, with a large TV screen on the back wall.
Earlier this month, we welcomed Kimberly Kuizon from FOX13 to our Emergency Operations Center for a discussion on our County's public safety and disaster recovery measures at this one-year mark since Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Lasting Manatee's current involvement was explained as two-fold: continuing to develop the planned recovery programs, and continuing outreach to our most affected regions across Manatee County.

 

Inside the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center, a staff member of Lasting Manatee speaks on camera while FOX13's reporter is facing them. There is a spotlight shining on the staff member. The room has a large TV screen on the back wall.


Our Communications Coordinator (CDBG-DR) shared how since Lasting Manatee's beginning, we've regularly received stories from a great number of County residents whose property or neighborhoods were devastated after these storms. Knowing the span of time before our recovery programs open, we first created our Other Resources webpage, serving as a referral list of local, current housing and social services resources to offer to those with urgent need.

Inside the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center, a staff member of Lasting Manatee speaks on camera while FOX13's cameraman films from the right side. The room has desks, chairs, and monitors, with a large TV screen on the back wall.


Kuizon's report also brought forward several personal accounts from Rubonia residents, each facing ongoing challenges in restoring their homes to pre-storm condition. Check out the video and article for this news story on the FOX13 website by clicking here.

Inside the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center, a staff member of Lasting Manatee speaks on camera while FOX13's reporter holds a microphone while their cameraman films. The room has desks and monitors, with a large TV screen on the back wall.


More information on Lasting Manatee and the timeline for launching recovery programs can be found by visiting mymanatee.org/lastingmanatee, and by signing up for email updates.