As Hurricane Helene intensifies with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, Sarasota and Manatee counties are taking proactive measures to prepare residents for the storm. Here’s what you need to know about the latest updates, closures, evacuations, and preparations.
Hurricane Warnings and Watches
- Hurricane Helene Status: Now a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
- Counties Under Watch: Sarasota and Manatee counties are under a Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Warning, and a forthcoming Flood Watch.
- Latest Forecast: Stay updated with the National Weather Service’s forecast for Sarasota and Manatee counties.
School Closures
- Sarasota County: Schools are closed Wednesday through Friday.
- Manatee County: Schools are closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Evacuations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
- Level A Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents in Flood Zone A, which includes barrier islands, areas along Phillippi Creek and the Myakka River, as well as residents in manufactured or mobile homes and those living on boats.
- How to Find Your Evacuation Zone: Use the Sarasota County interactive evacuation map or the Manatee County interactive evacuation map to see if you are affected.
- Evacuation Centers: All Sarasota County evacuation centers are open and pet-friendly. Residents should bring their own supplies. Those needing transportation to a shelter can call 311 for assistance.
Barrier Islands Water Shut-Offs
- Sarasota County: Potable water service to Bird Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, and parts of Siesta Key may be shut off starting Thursday morning. The decision is based on projected storm surge and aims to protect the water system from saltwater intrusion. The utility will restore services as soon as conditions are safe.
- Manatee County: Water service to Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and the Town of Longboat Key is scheduled to be suspended as of 6 p.m. on Wednesday to protect infrastructure. Crews will restore water service as soon as weather conditions permit.
- Englewood Water District: Water and wastewater services to barrier islands will be shut down starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A boil water notice will be issued upon restoration of services.
- City of Venice: Currently, there are no plans to cut off water and sewer services.
Airport and Transportation Updates
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport: No plans to close operations at this time, but several airlines (Frontier, Avelo, JetBlue, and Southwest) have canceled flights on Thursday. Travelers should check with their airline for flight status.
- Tampa International Airport: Operations will be suspended starting at 2 a.m. Thursday. The airport anticipates reopening on Friday after a damage assessment.
Sandbag Distribution
- Sarasota County: Sandbags are available on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road
- Ed Smith Stadium (parking lot), 2700 12th St.
- South County Fleet Services, 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Road
- Manatee County: Check the county website for sandbag station locations and hours.
- City of North Port: Self-service sandbag station at the Larry Thoennissen Athletic Fields behind the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way. Limit of 10 bags per vehicle. Residents should bring their own shovels.
- City of Venice: Self-service sand station open at 252 Seaboard Avenue. Bags are not available at the location; they can be picked up at City Hall or Venice Public Works. Limit of 10 bags per vehicle.
Latest Weather Updates
- Projected Path: Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area on Thursday evening as a Category 3 hurricane.
- Wind Impact: Tropical storm-force winds are expected to reach Sarasota and Manatee counties by Thursday morning, with wind speeds between 58-73 mph inland. The main impact will be storm surge, with a 69% chance of tropical storm-force winds arriving in Sarasota by 11 p.m. Wednesday and 70% in Manatee by 12 a.m. Thursday.
- Rainfall: Expected rainfall is 3-6 inches, with some areas potentially receiving up to 10 inches.
- Storm Surge: A surge of 4-7 feet in coastal Sarasota County and 5-8 feet in coastal Manatee County is anticipated. The storm surge is projected to be worse than Hurricane Idalia due to the storm’s wind angle.
Additional Closures and Cancellations
- Sarasota County: All county offices, parks, and libraries will be closed.
- City of Venice: Currently, there are no plans to cut off water and sewer services to Venice Island.
- Manatee County: Public services and facilities will close as per storm schedules.
Prepare for Hurricane Helene
Residents are urged to complete their preparations and follow evacuation orders if applicable. Store loose outdoor items, secure sandbags, and stay informed of the latest updates through local emergency management and the National Hurricane Center.
For more information, visit Sarasota County’s storm preparedness page or Manatee County’s storm information site. Stay safe and follow local advisories during this storm.