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Sarasota and Manatee counties are currently in danger from Hurricane Milton. Here’s the latest:
See below for the latest updates as Sarasota and Manatee counties prepare for another potentially devastating storm.
3:15 p.m.: Manatee County schools will close Monday ahead of Hurricane Milton
The School District of Manatee County has announced that all public schools will be closed from Monday through Wednesday in advance of Hurricane Milton, following a similar announcement from Sarasota County earlier today.
“We are working closely with Manatee County Emergency Management to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Milton. The district has been notified that several of our schools will be needed as storm shelters beginning tomorrow, Monday, October 7, 2024,” reads the announcement.
2 p.m.: Milton is now a hurricane, according to National Hurricane Center
According to the 2 p.m. National Hurricane Center updateTropical Storm Milton has become Hurricane Milton, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
The path of the storm has remained static, leaving Sarasota and Manatee counties almost directly in the center. The current forecast would have Hurricane Milton making landfall in our area on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center says we can expect between 5-8 inches of rain, with up to 12 inches in localized areas, but has not yet specified what Sarasota and Manatee can expect from storm surge.
AccuWeather forecasters, however, have predicted more than 10 feet of surge.
“Milton has the potential to become one of Florida’s most damaging and costly hurricanes, bringing a variety of life-threatening dangers,” warned AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. “This includes an extreme storm surge of 10-15 feet along and near the coast, including in the Tampa Bay area, destructive winds and major flooding to one of the most densely populated areas of Florida, the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando.”
1:30 p.m.: Sarasota County schools will be closed starting Monday ahead of likely Hurricane Milton
Sarasota County Schools announced that all traditional public schools will be closed from Monday through Wednesday in preparation for possible shelter openings. This comes after Sarasota County announced that it will order evacuations for all Level A and potentially Level B residents.
12:50 p.m.: Sarasota County will order evacuations ahead of potential Hurricane Milton
Sarasota County has announced that it will call for evacuations for people living in Level A zonesand may also call for evacuations of people living in Level B, ahead of Tropical Storm Milton, which is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in the Sarasota-Manatee area.
“If you live in Level A or B, manufactured home or a mobile or boat home, NOW is the time to implement your plan, if staying with a family member or friend in a different level or leaving the area. If your plan is to leave the area, do so. This will be one of the largest evacuations along our state’s west coast. If you wait, you will get stuck in traffic,” reads the announcement.
11:50 a.m.: Florida prepares for largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma
The state’s top emergency management official said he’s preparing for the largest evacuation since 2017’s Hurricane Irma as Florida girds for yet another major Gulf hurricane only a week and a half after Hurricane Helene slapped the state’s west coast.
Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie appeared with Gov. Ron DeSantis at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee on Sunday morning. What is expected to become Hurricane Milton could make landfall Wednesday as a category 3 storm, possibly between Tampa and Naples.
11:25 a.m.: Tropical Storm Milton track shifts slightly to put Sarasota and Manatee right in center of projected path
According to the 11 a.m. National Hurricane Center updateTropical Storm Milton’s projected path has shifted slightly south, making Sarasota and Manatee counties the likeliest target of the storm.
“The new NHC forecast is adjusted south of the previous one, especially early on, and further southward adjustments could be required if the guidance trend continues,” reads the NHC forecast.
Tropical Storm Milton’s maximum sustained winds are now at 65 mph and the storm is now expected to strengthen more than previously predicted. The storm is now expected to reach maximum sustained winds of 125 mph before landfall sometime on Wednesday.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches could be required for portions of Florida late today, the NHC said.
Sarasota and Manatee counties can expect to begin feeling tropical storm winds on Tuesday evening.
11:05 a.m.: City of Anna Maria will order mandatory evacuation ahead of potential Hurricane Milton
The City of Anna Maria will order a mandatory evacuation ahead of potential Hurricane Milton, according to a post by the Bradenton Police Department and the City of Anna Maria website. The evacuation will be ordered at noon tomorrow.
8:40 a.m.: National Hurricane Center predicts more strengthening for potential Hurricane Milton
The National Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. update shows that Tropical Storm Milton is becoming better organized and the path is still centered on the area between Sarasota and Tampa, but there are several factors that may alter where the storm eventually makes landfall.
“While the track guidance is generally in good agreement on this scenario, there remains some spread in both the track and forward speed, so it is too early to specify which portions of the Florida Peninsula will get the worst impacts,” reads the NHC forecaster’s discussion.
According to the forecaster, how much Milton will strengthen is also uncertain, with models suggesting outcomes ranging from Category 1 to Category 5. NHC’s current forecast predicts winds of 120 mph, or Category 3, when Milton makes landfall.
“However, this is below the intensity consensus, and it would not be surprising if the storm gets stronger,” says the NHC forecaster.
No matter the specific details of potential Hurricane Milton, “there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week,” says the NHC forecast.
8:30 a.m.: Where to find sandbags in Sarasota and Manatee counties
North Port: A self-serve sandbag station is open behind the George Mullen Activity Center at 1602 Kramer Way. Sand and bags will be available while supplies last. Residents should bring their own shovels.
Bradenton: Sandbags are available on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Public Works Annex, 1411 9th Street West. Enter from 9th Street West and follow signs into the area behind the annex. You must provide a valid ID demonstrating city residency.
Venice: The City of Venice will open its self-service sandbag station for residents on Monday, Oct. 7, starting at 8 a.m. at 252 Seaboard Ave. Both sands and bags will be available, as supplies last.
Manatee County: Find all sandbag locations on Manatee County’s Severe Weather Information Center page.
Sarasota County: Self-service sandbags will be offered to Sarasota County residents Monday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota; Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota; South County Fleet Services, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice.
