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    • Sarasota and Manatee are preparing for the deadly storm surge from Hurricane Milton
    Utah

    Sarasota and Manatee are preparing for the deadly storm surge from Hurricane Milton

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Employee report
    | Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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    Sarasota and Manatee counties are currently at risk from Hurricane Milton. Here’s the latest:

    Below are the latest updates as Sarasota and Manatee counties prepare for another potentially devastating storm.

    Manatee County Utilities employees are shutting off water service to offshore island communities.

    With significant storm surge expected in coastal portions of the county, the Manatee County Utilities Department has planned to close drinking water and sewer service to the island towns of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and the town of Longboat Key, a statement said Press release. The business interruption – in coordination with the island cities – is intended to ensure that the system remains intact and the wastewater lifting plants are saved.

    During Hurricane Helene, water flow was largely interrupted and a flow of 20% was maintained. This time the water will be turned off completely. There will be no residual pressure or flow that some may have experienced with Helene.

    Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will continue shuttle service from CVS (611 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach) and 101 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach to local shelters until 8:00 p.m. nightfall.

    The following locations are now open to evacuees:

    Virgil Mills Elementary School (7200 69th St. E., Palmetto)Jessie P. Miller Elementary School (601 43rd St. W., Bradenton)Myakka Elementary School (37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City)WD Sugg Middle School (5602 38th Ave . W., Bradenton)Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School (8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish)BD Gullett Elementary School (12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School (6325 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch) Dr. Mona Jain Middle School (12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)

    Special needs accommodation is also available for those who have pre-registered.

    At 8:00 p.m., Manatee County Public Works crews will barricade and close the following bridges: Jim Davis Rd at Gamble CreekGolf Course Road at Gamble CreekVerna Bethany at Manatee RiverThese preventative closures are a safety measure to protect infrastructure that was recently minor during the hurricane Debby suffered flood damage. Motorists should expect these closures to remain in place until Hurricane Milton has passed and inspection personnel have had an opportunity to assess the potential damage.

    Sarasota County announced it is expanding its evacuation order to Level C. This means that all Sarasota County residents and visitors living in Tiers A, B and C, as well as those living in mobile homes and RVs, must evacuate.

    Find your Sarasota County evacuation level here.

    Here is the list of evacuation shelters in Sarasota County. Evacuation centers are expected to open at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Riverview High School is no longer an evacuation center.

    Sarasota County is aware that several evacuation centers are at Level C. After a detailed assessment and based on current forecast weather conditions, authorities have determined that centers at this level are safe and viable options.

    Sarasota County Schools announced all traditional public schools would remain closed through Friday.

    “We will let you know about school reopening as soon as possible after Hurricane Milton passes. Our facilities team will need time to conduct safe assessments at all of our campuses nationwide to ensure our traditional public schools and offices are safe.” Welcome back, students, teachers and staff. “We have also received many questions about hurricane catch-up days and whether the school year needs to be extended to account for storm-related closures. We will present possible solutions and provide an update on this as soon as possible,” the announcement said.

    Manatee County has not yet announced that schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, but it is likely.

    Hurricane Milton’s maximum sustained winds have dropped to 145, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. update. That still makes it a strong Category 4 storm.

    Otherwise, little has changed since the last update (see below). Hurricane Milton’s forecast path remains pegged to the opening of Tampa Bay, with landfall expected late Wednesday evening or early Tuesday morning.

    Sarasota and Manatee are also expected to see 5 to 12 inches of rain, with up to 18 inches in certain areas, as well as hurricane-force winds.

    Tropical storm-force winds are forecast for the area beginning Wednesday morning, with hurricane-force winds beginning later in the day.

    Hurricane Milton weakened slightly overnight and is now packing sustained winds of 155 mph, making it a strong Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. update.

    It could weaken further before it is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday evening.

    “An increase in vertical wind shear will likely result in some weakening before the hurricane reaches Florida, but there is high confidence that Milton will remain an extremely dangerous hurricane as it reaches the state,” the forecast said.

    However, the weakening does not change the most devastating part of the forecast for Sarasota and Manatee counties. Hurricane Milton is still expected to bring a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet to the area, more than twice as much as Hurricane Helene.

    Sarasota and Manatee are also expected to see 5 to 12 inches of rain, with up to 18 inches in certain areas, as well as hurricane-force winds.

    Tropical storm-force winds are forecast for the area beginning Wednesday morning, with hurricane-force winds beginning later in the day.

    Although Hurricane Milton is still a relatively compact storm, it is expected to double in size before reaching our area.

    “As a result, damaging winds, life-threatening storm surges and heavy rainfall will extend well beyond the forecast cone,” the NHC said.

    A hurricane warning and a storm surge warning are currently in effect for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

    Sarasota County has announced that evacuation of people living in Areas A, B and C, as well as anyone living in mobile homes or RVs, will begin today. The district can also extend this to Level C individuals.

    Manatee County has announced evacuations for residents in levels A, B and C, as well as anyone living in a mobile home or RV.

    • Find your Manatee County evacuation level here.
    • Here is the running list of animal shelters in Manatee County.
    • Mills Elementary, 7200 69th St. E., Palmetto
    • Miller Elementary, 601 43rd St. W., Bradenton
    • Myakka Elementary, 37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City
    • Sugg Middle, 5602 38th Ave. W., Bradenton
    • Harvey Elementary, 8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish
    • Gullett Elementary, 12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton
    • McNeal Elementary, 6325 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch
    • Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, 12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton

    Manatee County authorities warned residents of Anna Maria Island and the town of Longboat Key that water service to the barrier islands will be shut off at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

    Sarasota County will also shut off water service to Casey Key and Siesta Key at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

    The Venice City Utilities Department plans to shut off water supply to the island of Venice on Tuesday evening.

    The Englewood Water District will shut down its water service to Manasota Key at noon Tuesday.

    Sarasota County: 8 a.m. to noon at the 17th Street Soccer Fields, 4730 17th Street; Sarasota Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road; Sarasota South County Fleet Services, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice.

    Manatee County: Locations can be found here.

    City of Sarasota: 8 a.m. to noon, Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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