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Advanced technology will help Manatee County during 2025 Hurricane Season

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Published  May 30, 2025 4:28pm EDT
Manatee County
FOX 13 News
Manatee County EOC preps for hurricane season

Manatee County EOC preps for hurricane season

Manatee County leaders say the county is better equipped this hurricane season to handle whatever comes its way.

The Brief

    • Manatee County has partnered with Peregrine to gather real-time data across the county as storms move through.
    • Peregrine can help place first responders and equipment in areas that need help faster.
    • Manatee County encourages residents to ask questions now before a storm impacts the area.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Some homeowners still haven't moved back into their homes following the 2024 Hurricane Season. Manatee County said residents need a plan now as a new hurricane season approaches. 

County officials say they are even more equipped this year to handle whatever comes their way. 

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Why you should care:

Two months brought three destructive storms to Manatee County. As recovery continues, Matt Myers, the county's chief of emergency management, urges residents to be ready for the new hurricane season. 

"They need to be prepared now for anything that can happen," said Myers. 

Manatee County has been doing the same. Over the course of the last year, they’ve enhanced rescue team capabilities in part to reach residents at night. 

READ: Online survey focuses on Bay Area residents' decision to evacuate or not during Helene, Milton

They’ve also enhanced technology. 

"The rapid response we can do with the information, it’s faster and it’s better," said Myers. 

Partnering with Peregrine, a company that helps gather real-time data from across Manatee County in one dashboard. Manatee County will be able to determine what areas need help and get resources there faster.

"We can source 911 calls using the artificial intelligence to run through the calls for us and type in flooding, and it will plot it on the map. We will know where those calls are coming in from, so we can start flooding," said Myers. 

MORE: New TECO trailer will be used for community demonstrations on dangers of live power lines

Jodie Fiske, Manatee County’s director of public safety, said it also helps with getting supplies to residents and determining what will be needed during the long-term recovery process. 

"That leads to expedited categories of reimbursement. That leads to major declarations. All of the steps we need to do we have cut really critical time off of the process we had before to get it moving to get our residents what we need," said Fiske.

As residents enter a new storm season, some with remaining damage or questions, Manatee County said they are here to help. 

"We want people to be proactive in asking the questions, hopefully before we take an impact," said Fiske. 

What's next:

Manatee County will hold a coffee and questions event from 9-11 a.m. on June 6 at the Emergency Operations Center, which is located at 2101 47th Terrace East in Bradenton. Residents can come out with any concerns and ask questions. 

To sign up, click here.

The Source: Information was gathered for this report by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon and Manatee County officials. 

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