VENUE CHANGE:
Myakka City Elementary School at 37205 Manatee Avenue, Myakka City, 34251
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (October 26, 2022) – As residents of eastern Manatee County continue to clean up and recover after Hurricane Ian, local leaders are maintaining a lifeline to the community. And they are encouraging continued conversation.
On Thursday, November 3, Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes and District One Commissioner James Satcher will be hosting a Community Conversation in Myakka City from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The informal meeting—featuring information stations and participation from various government entities—will take place at the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Road.
“It’s a chance to speak about the needs of this community,” said Commissioner Satcher. “And to discuss how Manatee County Government can help meet those needs.”
Discussions will center on response and recovery from Hurricane Ian, mitigation for future flood events, safe drinking water and evacuations. Representatives from the Manatee County Department of Health (DOH-Manatee) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be on hand, along with Manatee County Community & Veterans Services, Utilities, Public Safety and Development Services staff.
In the days after the storm’s passage, rescue crews went house-to-house to assess resident safety and gauge their immediate needs. A county-initiated distribution center—with everything from water, ice and tarps to sunscreen and insect repellant—was established.
More recently, the county coordinated continuing private well testing by and through DOH-Manatee for residents who may have had their wells contaminated with flood waters. Additional bottled water distributions—as well as free bleach and instructions for well disinfection—have been established. Those distributions are still ongoing, along with on-site shower and laundry facilities at the Myakka City Community Center, and will continue until the local drinking water supply is sustainable.
“We want to do what’s right—right now—for the residents,” said Dr. Hopes. “And we want to continue the conversation.”