MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Aug. 31, 2019) – Manatee County government officials today de-escalated the Emergency Operations Center and asked residents to continue to keep close watch on Hurricane Dorian as the storm's projected path lurched eastward away from a Florida landfall.
"Thankfully, Hurricane Dorian tracked eastward again and Manatee County is no longer in the projected path of the storm as of 11 a.m. this morning. We are putting everything on hold until the storm goes by us," said Emergency Chief Steve Litschauer. "It's been an unpredictable storm and it could take a left turn just like it took a right turn, so our residents should continue to monitor the forecast by watching reliable news sources and following the County's social media accounts."
No tropical force winds are expected for Manatee County, according to the National Weather Service Tampa.
A press conference originally scheduled for tomorrow at noon has been canceled.
Shelter Information
County Government and School District officials decided that no shelters will open in Manatee County this week. School and government operations are scheduled to continue as normal on Tuesday, following the Labor Day holiday. The County is contacting special needs patients today to tell them the special needs shelter will not open, but they should remain prepared, just in case Dorian's path shifts again. County representatives will contact those individuals if the plan changes again.
Sandbags
Sandbags operations, originally scheduled to end at 8 p.m. today, will instead close at 4 p.m. today at the four locations: G.T. Bray Park parking lot, Bennett Park, Lakewood Ranch Park and the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Recycling, Trash and Yard Waste & Citizens Action Center
There will be no changes to the holiday waste collection schedule next week.
“The Citizens Information Center for anyone who has questions or concerns is (941) 749-3547 and it will remain staffed today until 5 p.m. Anyone with a true emergency should call 9-1-1," said County Administrator Cheri Coryea.