Manatee County Government
Manatee County Government offices closed Monday, Aug. 27
Residents advised to prepare for tropical force winds and possible flooding
MANATEE COUNTY FL (Aug. 26, 2012) – Manatee County launched a full activation of the Emergency Operations Center this morning at 8 a.m. in preparation of Tropical Storm Isaac.
Manatee Emergency Operations officials said that the storm may strengthen once it reaches the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and could become a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday. Manatee Logistics Chief Greg Bacon said the storm moved west again and remains unpredictable as it churns in the Caribbean. It could bring a storm surge of up to 3-to-5 feet by Tuesday or Wednesday and 4 - 7 inches of rain.
"Isaac will probably be a Category 1 hurricane about 120 miles west of Manatee County, but it can get closer or farther away," said Greg Bacon, logistics chief. "We will see significant rains. It's a very wide storm and we're expected to see the onset of tropical force winds as early as Sunday Afternoon through Monday Evening."
Manatee County is advising a voluntarily evacuation, Level A, for people with special needs, mobile home parks and other low-lying areas.
If you have a special need such as a medical condition requiring electricity or oxygen, call 941-749-3500 for shelter registration information.
Manatee County Government offices and county schools will be closed Monday. Trash collection has been suspended on Monday for residents in incorporated Manatee County, City of Bradenton and the Town of Longboat Key.
Manatee County Public Works will allow residents to fill up to 10 sand bags per household on Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following distribution points:
Buffalo Creek Golf Course, 8100 69th St. E., Palmetto
G.T. Bray Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W. Bradenton
Lakewood Ranch Park, near Lakewood Ranch High School
39th St. Stormwater Facility, 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton
Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd st. E., Palmetto
Both Manatee County MCAT and Island Trolley services will be suspended at 7pm today until further notice.
A list of preparedness tips is available at www.mymanatee.org/hurricane
Regular updates will be posted to Manatee’s Facebook page and Twitter account, @ManateeGov. For more information, people may call (941) 748-4501 or (941) 749-3500.