Manatee County Deploys Unified Data System to Improve Hurricane Response
As hurricane seasons grow more intense, Manatee County is embracing a cutting-edge technology platform designed to streamline emergency response and enhance real-time decision-making. Officials have implemented a new integrated system that consolidates critical storm data into a single, centralized platform.
Previously, emergency management teams relied on multiple "siloed systems" to monitor separate aspects of a hurricane’s impact — from rainfall and wind speeds to shelter occupancy and power outages. This process required switching between various programs and datasets during high-pressure situations.
The county’s new solution, developed by the technology firm Peregrine, consolidates all that data in a single, user-friendly interface. The system includes real-time tracking of:
Rainfall and wind speeds
Weather forecasts
Power outages
Shelter capacity
Road closures and evacuation routes
Lift station functionality
Damage assessments
A dedicated "GIS Room" with six large monitors now serves as the central hub for emergency operations. County officials can view and cross-reference live data across all essential categories to inform critical decisions such as evacuation orders and shelter openings.
Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske noted that the system's most significant benefit is its ability to deliver accurate, up-to-the-minute damage estimates by location. This capability enables the county to request disaster assistance from state and federal agencies more precisely.
The system also preserves historical data from previous hurricanes, allowing emergency planners to compare current conditions with past storms, including Hurricane Milton, which recently made landfall near Manatee County, and Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread damage in the region.
Peregrine CEO Nick Noone said the software’s successful rollout in Manatee County demonstrates the value of integrating real-time data for complex emergency response efforts.
With this new technology in place, county officials say Manatee is better prepared to protect lives, infrastructure, and property in the face of future storms.