Manatee County declares state of emergency, announces Sandbag Locations

MANATEE COUNTY — Manatee County has declared a local State of Emergency in advance of anticipated severe weather over the next several days. Commissioners made the declaration during a specially called meeting this morning. The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Watch on August 2 for Inland Manatee County, including Parrish - Lakewood Ranch - Myakka City.

Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center — which has been activated at Level Two (partial activation) since 10 a.m. — will continue to add staff and resources, if necessary, as the storm progresses. Current forecast(s) for Invest 97L (which would be named Debby) are predicting significant rainfall across Florida and Manatee County.

The declaration of a local State of Emergency allows County staff to perform any emergency actions needed during the storm.

Manatee County Public Works crews are setting up self-serve sandbag locations for residents who may want to take extra proactive measures to secure their property in advance of the forecast tropical weather headed here.

Sand and bags will be available beginning at noon today at Coquina Beach (near the Bus Loop) at 1507 S. Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach and Lincoln Park at 501 17th Street East in Palmetto. A self-serve location will also be set up just south of the former Manatee County Utilities Headquarters at 4410 66th Street W. in Bradenton. Updated locations are listed at www.mymanatee.org/sandbags.

Manatee County will also make sand and bags available for areas at risk of flooding at the Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street E. in Palmetto and the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Rd. in Myakka City.

After Hurricane Ian in 2022, flooding in the Myakka City area overtopped a significant number of wellheads, which left the wells contaminated.

Residents who use well water should take extra precautions ahead of potential flooding:

1. Store adequate bottled water for drinking and cooking.
2. Fill up the pressure tank as much as possible.
3. Turn off the electricity to the well.
4. If you have an aerobic septic system, turn off the electricity for the system.
   (No special preparations are needed for conventional septic systems)
5. If your wellhead does not have a watertight seal, you may improvise one by covering the casing with a heavy-duty trash bag and wrapping it with waterproof tape.
6. If you completed the log or well report when the well was established, store a copy in a safe place that is accessible.

Follow official storm information from Manatee County at mymanatee.org/storm. Residents and visitors should monitor local news and the County's social media accounts for updates. Registering for Alert Manatee is another way to ensure you receive any severe weather updates.

From the National Weather Center:

TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT... A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical-storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

*LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Parrish - Lakewood Ranch - Myakka City * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 40-50 mph with gusts to 25 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Sunday morning until Sunday afternoon.

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. 

PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage. - ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages.

• STORM SURGE - No storm surge inundation forecast
• THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little to no storm surge flooding
• PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding. Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible.
• PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding are needed.
• ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor forecasts.
• POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding. * 
• LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts -
• THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK,
• SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain
• PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
• PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding
• ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
• POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.