It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Arcadia Mill gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Milton, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I truly appreciated the extra mile the caregiver went to give my parents the care”
“Jeremy and Tracy are so very helpful, polite and very accommodating and willing to go”
“We needed help fast with our father and Always Best Care Senior Services stepped in”
“I think the administration are very professional and sent out an employee that's a perfect”
“We give Always Best Care five stars. We had two different caregivers and each one”
“I truly appreciated the extra mile the caregiver went to give my parents the care they deserved. The house was nice and tidy and the meal prep was a lifesaver. This company really deserves 5 stars.”
“Jeremy and Tracy are so very helpful, polite and very accommodating and willing to go that extra mile to help you or your family member. The staff is very polite and helpful. I feel blessed to have found Always Best Care to assist my family members.”
“We needed help fast with our father and Always Best Care Senior Services stepped in and provided excellent guidance and help. Jeremy helped us get answers to questions we didn’t know to ask and made sure we were aware of everything every step of the way. A true professional with a kind heart! I can’t recommend them enough. My family is truly grateful to have found their services.”
“I think the administration are very professional and sent out an employee that's a perfect fit for my needs! They have been very accommodating to schedules/appointments.”
“We give Always Best Care five stars. We had two different caregivers and each one was friendly, cheerful and followed the directions of their care plan very well. This company is well managed and organized - very oriented towards providing the best senior care but also concerned for the family's well being as well.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carpenter's Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Blackwater Bistro or visit Santa Rosa Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Milton, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Milton, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Milton, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
While Hurricane Milton caused concern for Florida's citrus industry, for the citrus nurseries in the state, the damage depended largely on where the nursery was located. "Several nurseries received damage in Hurricane Milton–there was damage to the materials on the greenhouses. So the plastic ripped or came off, etc.," says Nate Jameson, manager of Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, adding that some of those nurseries also had significant structural damage.That left a pressing concern for the young...
While Hurricane Milton caused concern for Florida's citrus industry, for the citrus nurseries in the state, the damage depended largely on where the nursery was located. "Several nurseries received damage in Hurricane Milton–there was damage to the materials on the greenhouses. So the plastic ripped or came off, etc.," says Nate Jameson, manager of Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, adding that some of those nurseries also had significant structural damage.
That left a pressing concern for the young trees. If they were left exposed for several days, they could have been affected by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, the insect that spreads the citrus greening disease (huanglongbing or HLB), a disease that has severely affected the Florida citrus industry. There were also concerns about the exposure spreading citrus canker, another disease that has affected the industry. "Though most nurseries have been dealing with these diseases for a very long time and were prepared to recover and repair very quickly. The likelihood was minimal," Jameson says.
Fruit loss for growersAs for growers and Hurricane Milton, the biggest challenge they saw was fruit loss due to high winds dropping fruit. "The numbers are still being assessed but I've heard numbers as high as 30 percent of the fruit on the tree as an industry had been shaken off," he says.
Jameson says these hurricane impacts come on top of an already challenged Florida citrus industry. "We're now almost 20 years into the discovery of HLB and the total acres of citrus in Florida is already significantly reduced," he says, adding that Florida has seen 60-70 percent of its acreage has gone out of production. "As a result, the industry as a whole in Florida is in dire straits."
That means that with what he describes as a depressed Florida citrus industry, the demand for nursery trees isn't as great as it once was. For the last 20 years, Florida has produced approximately 4 million trees per year and the majority of those have gone into commercial plantings. "Because that demand is not there, nurseries don't have the income stream they used to have, and smaller businesses who may have significant damage, it's likely a few of them may just say they're done because they can't justify the reinvestment by fixing the damage," says Jameson.
Looking ahead in FloridaSo where to from here? For one, there is continued exploration of technologies to help Florida growers contend with HLB particularly, whether it's protective netting, injections, genetic developments, or more. (Look no further than the increase of growing citrus under protective screens or C.U.P.S. which is being increasingly invested in.) "The idea is that the solution for the disease is many, many years away but they will be able to return the investment in these protective screens with a high-value crop such as dark red grapefruit under these structures," says Jameson, adding that other crops would include easy-peel tangerines. However, it may not work for commodities such as orange juice oranges. "The numbers don't work for those because orange juice is so much of a commodity."
Jameson says work in the citrus nursery industry is the first step in developing a sellable commercial tree. "We have research institutions around the country trying to develop new genetics to withstand HLB. However, if somebody comes out with a new set of genetics, there would be an extreme lag time in getting those genetics to market. So how do we keep our nursery industry viable in the event an institution comes up with those genetics?" asks Jameson.
For more information: Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery Tel: +1 (352) 793-6861[email protected]https://www.briteleaf.com/
Publication date: Tue 29 Oct 2024
GiveDirectly will send $1,000 directly to some NC, FL households that were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 12:36 pm ETFLORIDA — A nonprofit organization is using artificial intelligence to send financial assistance to nearly 1,000 households affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina and Florida, ...
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 12:36 pm ET
FLORIDA — A nonprofit organization is using artificial intelligence to send financial assistance to nearly 1,000 households affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina and Florida, ABC News first reported.
GiveDirectly, which collects funds from donors to send money directly to the world’s poorest households, will send $1,000 to these households starting on Friday.
As of Friday afternoon, the organization raised $1.2 million of its $2 million goal through 695 donations, according to its website. There are 16 days left to donate funds to those affected by Helene and Milton.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota as a Category 3 storm before tearing across central Florida, destroying homes and leaving more than 3.4 million without power in its aftermath.
Weeks earlier, Hurricane Helene tore across six states after making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area as a Category 4 storm, causing life-threatening storm surge to flood the state’s coastal communities and leveling neighborhoods across the U.S. Southeast.
Using a Google-developed AI tool, GiveDirectly targeted areas with the most low-income homes and storm damages.
Then, on Tuesday, the organization invited people in those communities to enroll in its program via Propel, an app that’s used to manage government food stamp benefits.
Donations made to GiveDirectly will be dispersed to the households selected and will be deposited to the app.
The emergency cash will help those affected by the hurricanes with their immediate needs, including food, water, generators, medicine and diapers; home and car repairs; phone and utility bills; and rent or hotel payments.
Related:
GiveDirectly previously sent donated funds to those impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona in 2022.
Since it was founded in 2009, the organization has collected and delivered more than $800 million in cash to more than 1.6 million people living in poverty in places like Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda and the U.S.
(This story was updated to add new information.)As Southwest Florida digs out from back-to-back hurricanes, local governments throughout the region are assessing the full extent of the damage to properties and estimating the costs to rebuild. Just weeks after ...
(This story was updated to add new information.)
As Southwest Florida digs out from back-to-back hurricanes, local governments throughout the region are assessing the full extent of the damage to properties and estimating the costs to rebuild. Just weeks after Hurricane Helene, the region was hit by another devastating blow from Hurricane Milton, which left significant damage in its wake across homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Although crews have restored power and water utilities across the county, officials are still working to gather complete data on the number of affected properties and the estimated repair costs.
For communities that participate in the National Floodplain Insurance Program, FEMA requires the community to perform assessments after events that cause damage, inform property owners of the requirement to obtain permits for repairs and determine whether the damage qualifies as substantial damage.
Pursuant to FEMA guidelines, county staff undertook an initial assessment of the extent of damage immediately after Hurricane Milton, said county Public Information Officer Betsy Clayton.
Mikki Rozdolski, the director for Lee County Community Development, shared updates during a county meeting Tuesday, Oct. 15. County staff surveyed over 13,000 structures, including 3,100 high water mark data collection points and completed 1,100 substantial damage estimates to assess buildings affected and the level of anticipated damage.
Lee County's Department of Transportation assessed damage to its 43 traffic signals. Damage was found at 27 signals, about 60% of the system. Most intersections had less than $5,000 in damage, making them ineligible for Federal Highway Administration assistance.
The DOT is developing a plan to address 12 intersections with over $5,000 in damage. As of a few days after the storm, only four traffic signals remained without power, with generators in place while the DOT coordinated with Florida Power and Light for restoration.
Damage assessments of county buildings are ongoing, with significant damage reported at the Boca Grande Community Center and the Boca Grande Fire Station. The Boca Grande Island School reported up to 4 inches of water damage, while the Crown and Shield building suffered 33 inches of water damage.
As of the day after the hurricane, county crews completed about 70% of the inspections. This included about 4.5 million square feet of the approximately 800 county structures.
Since Monday, Oct. 14, crews have collected 4,800 cubic yards of debris. Nine collection operations are currently underway, focusing on heavily impacted areas, the County shared.
While the County provided some initial damage assessments in its meeting that Tuesday, officials have not yet shared specific figures regarding the total number of properties damaged and the overall cost of repairs.
Property owners need to obtain permits for repairs for structures that sustained damage, county officials emphasized.
To help, the county's Department of Community Development opened temporary, remote permit offices at the following locations:
Fort Myers Beach Town staff started conducting damage assessments Tuesday following Hurricane Milton. Assessment teams will measure high water marks, the Town shared in a press release. As of Friday, Oct. 18, the Town has not provided an update on the extent of the damage.
Sanibel officials met Tuesday, Oct. 15 for a final post-storm live stream, however, officials focused on immediate recovery efforts and did not give specific updates regarding property damage assessments. As of Friday, Oct. 18, the city has not provided an update on the extent of the damage.
Hurricane Helene impacted 86 residential structures in Fort Myers, with 48 sustaining minor and 34 experiencing major damage, respectively. Sixteen commercial structures were also affected, with five suffering minor damage and one sustaining major damage. The city received 10 permit applications following Helene, with a total of $2,488.22 in fees waived.
Shortly after, Hurricane Milton brought more severe damage to the area, according to damage assessments the city provided.
A total of 914 residential structures were affected following Milton, including 85 with minor damage, 101 with major damage and six that were destroyed. Of the 74 commercial structures affected, four had minor damage, while six suffered major damage.
The city of Cape Coral reminds residents to pull permits for repairs related to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The permitting counter at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional staff will be available to assist residents, business owners and contractors in person, by phone or by email. Appointments are not required due to increased demand but are recommended to avoid long wait times. Appointments can be made online at www.capecoral.gov/qless.
Residents acting as their own contractors can apply in person for permits but must bring a photo ID matching their property address. Contractors should continue using the electronic permitting portal at www.capecoral.gov/energov.
Residents or businesses in the Special Flood Hazard Area must obtain permits for repairs, including for water intrusion. For assistance, email [email protected] with contact details, property address, type of damage, and water height. For other inquiries, contact [email protected] or call 239-574-0546.
Collier County reported 85 residential structures and three commercial properties incurred major damage, with preliminary estimates of total damage valued at $33.5 million. These figures are subject to change after insurance claims are validated.
During a county board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 22, Dan Summers, the county's emergency management director, provided an update on Hurricane Milton's impact. Based on a "rapid assessment" by the county's Growth Management Department, property damage across Collier — including residential, commercial and government infrastructure — is estimated at $280 million.
More:Hurricane Milton caused $280 million in damage in Collier County
Hurricane Hurricane Milton damaged about 1,300 homes in Bonita Springs, with severe damage in Hickory Island, Spring Creek, Imperial Shores and areas west of Old 41 Road near the Imperial River.
Of the damaged homes, 159 sustained major damage from flooding, with water levels high enough to affect electrical systems and appliances. City officials reported that many roads, including Hickory Boulevard, experienced closures due to flooding and sand accumulation up to five feet, requiring extensive cleanup.
In Bonita Beach, shoreline erosion stretched 30-35 feet along the south end. Restoration efforts are in progress. The city has also waived permit fees for recovery.
Senior Business Reporter Laura Layden contributed to this report.
Hurricane Milton produced dozens of tornadoes in central and southern Florida well before it made landfall. One monster tornado was fatal on the East Coast. Here’s why there were so many.0 seconds of 39 secondsVolume 90%Hurricane Milton produced dozens of tornadoes in central and southern Florida well before it made landfall. One monster tornado was fatal on the East Coast. Here’s why there were so many.Trending TodayLatest WeatherHealthSun & MoonTravelClimateTre...
Hurricane Milton produced dozens of tornadoes in central and southern Florida well before it made landfall. One monster tornado was fatal on the East Coast. Here’s why there were so many.
0 seconds of 39 secondsVolume 90%
Hurricane Milton produced dozens of tornadoes in central and southern Florida well before it made landfall. One monster tornado was fatal on the East Coast. Here’s why there were so many.
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BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The start of “snowbird” season in Florida is only weeks away, but many Florida Gulf Coast beaches, regularly voted some of the best in the United States, are closed to the public because of the devastation from ...
BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The start of “snowbird” season in Florida is only weeks away, but many Florida Gulf Coast beaches, regularly voted some of the best in the United States, are closed to the public because of the devastation from Hurricane Milton two weeks ago.
Most restaurants and shops in the tony St. Armands Circle district of Sarasota were flooded with water from Milton and Hurricane Helene, which tore through Florida almost two weeks ahead of Milton. The dominant performing arts hall in Sarasota is closed until January because of extensive damage. Mounds of debris are scattered along Gulf Coast roads.
Hurricane Milton’s devastating toll along Florida’s Gulf Coast hit one of the most popular areas for snowbirds — temporary residents who spend winter months in the Sunshine State — right before the start of the season which generally runs from after Halloween to around Easter. Milton landed on a barrier island in Sarasota County as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm swamped coastal homes with mounds of sand, pushed water inland and caused tens of billions of dollars in privately insured losses up and down the Gulf Coast.
Visitors need to stay away for the time being so they don’t interfere with the work of residents and recovery workers, said Larry West, a construction contractor who has been pulling long hours digging out 4-feet (1.2-meter) drifts of storm-driven sand at a condo complex on Manasota Key, about 32 miles (19.8 kilometers) south of Sarasota.
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“Give this area time. Don’t come here,” West said. “It doesn’t help when you get people in the way.”
Other Floridians on the Gulf Coast are taking the opposite view. In Clearwater, more than 55 miles (34.1 kilometers) north of Sarasota, Mayor Bruce Rector said he has been fielding calls from as far away as Canada, asking him, “Mayor, when will it be safe for Canadians to return to Clearwater?”
“I told them, ‘Today,’” Rector said during a recent meeting of the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council. “It’s not going to be perfect, but you’re going to have a similar experience to what you’ve always had here.”
Shawn Kaleta, one of the largest property owners on Anna Maria Island, about 20 miles north of Sarasota, also feels bullish about this season as reservations at the rental properties he manages are trending up from where they were last year.
Florida, a state with 23 million residents, has about 1.5 million seasonal residents annually, with about a third coming from Canada.
Evan Rachkovsky, communications director of the Canadian Snowbird Association, said he hasn’t heard of any members canceling their plans, even those whose homes were damaged, although some are delaying their trips until the situation improves.
“Most of our members are still going to be proceeding south as planned,” Rachkovsky said.
Some snowbirds have already made their annual migration south despite the latest storms, returning to their pickleball groups and tennis leagues even as some of their neighbors’ condos remain unlivable.
Because of Sarasota’s renown for a thriving performing arts scene, a sizable chunk of its snowbirds are performing arts patrons. Milton caused extensive damage to the Van Wezel performing arts hall, which hosts the Sarasota Orchestra and the Sarasota Ballet, and all performances have been canceled until the beginning of the new year.
During the past few years, many snowbirds have delayed coming to Florida, choosing to return after hurricane season ends in late November. As a result, some performing arts groups are pushing back the start of their seasons to later in the year, said Richard Russell, general director of Sarasota Opera, where about 40% of season subscribers are snowbirds.
“If people for a couple of years delay coming back because of storm activity in late October, that may be the new pattern,” Russell said.
Owners of vacation homes outside Florida see opportunity in the Gulf Coast’s misfortune. Gary Sacks advertised his two-bedroom condo in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on the “Florida Snowbirds 2025” Facebook page less than a week after Milton made landfall, targeting those “whose plans for being a snowbird were impacted by the two hurricanes that hit Florida.” He didn’t respond to a request for an interview.
Jim Lenz, 96, who lives outside Dayton, Ohio, and spends the winter months in The Villages, a sprawling central Florida retirement community, believes the storms may give pause to some snowbirds’ winter plans, “particularly people who are older and may decide, ‘I don’t want to take that chance anymore.’”
“Some may give up on it. Others may decide, ‘We just can’t stand the cold up here and we are going down,’” Lenz said.
Some snowbirds like Joe Singer say the growing number and intensity of the storms aren’t going to keep them away. Singer, who has spent the past five winters in Parkland, Florida, instead of his native New Jersey, said he and other snowbirds are adapting by purchasing homes further inland or on higher ground and acquiring generators.
The winter months are “like a mini-heaven,” said Singer, who is an avid walker. “I get up in the morning and go walking. I don’t have to scrape ice off my windshield. I don’t have to shovel the sidewalk. It’s just been very, very nice.”
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