"it's still dangerous" sarasota county sheriff says crews working to assess damage, clear roads

“It’s Still Dangerous” Sarasota County Sheriff Says Crews Working to Assess Damage, Clear Roads

Posted by
1 min read
October 10, 2024

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Emergency crews have begun search and rescue operations across Sarasota County following the passage of Hurricane Milton, which left behind widespread damage. Officials reported numerous downed power lines and trees blocking roadways, making travel hazardous.

Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman stated Thursday morning that deputies are working to clear roads and address other dangers, including downed power infrastructure. “The storm may have passed, but it is still dangerous to be traveling this morning,” the sheriff’s office noted in a message to residents. Some bridges in the county are currently impassable, authorities said.

Residents and business owners were urged to stay off the roads to allow emergency and utility crews time to carry out their work. The county is prioritizing road clearing and safety assessments as part of its initial response efforts.

Amid widespread power outages, the sheriff’s office also warned of the risks associated with generator use. Officials stressed the importance of following safety guidelines to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, advising residents to operate generators outdoors and install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

Crews continue to deploy throughout the county to evaluate damage and assist residents, with recovery operations expected to last for several days.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss