Manatee County
Manatee County Commissioners today declared a local state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Erika. The formal measure gives Manatee County Government officials the ability to act quickly to respond to an approaching storm.
Tomorrow Manatee County Emergency Operations Center will be elevated to a Level 2 activation as they continue to closely monitor the storm track. Another EOC briefing is set for tomorrow at 2 p.m. By that time, Emergency Management officials will have a better idea of the strength and path of the storm. At this time, no evacuation notices have been issued.
For now, Emergency Management Chief Don Hermey told local officials to expect a high rain and wind event. Up to 15 inches of rain could arrive on Monday and Tuesday, meaning possible flooding conditions into next week.
"Many of our residents know when we have torrential downpours that there's a strong potential to flood," Hermey said. "They need to take extra precaution. With this kind of storm coming, there’s a strong flooding potential. They need to have a heightened awareness and prepare."
Hermey urged Manatee officials and residents to monitor local news reports about the storm track and to have a hurricane plan ready.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday Manatee County Public Works will offer up to 10 sandbags per family at the following locations:
Public Works Drainage Section at 5511 39th Street East, Bradenton;
Lakewood Ranch Park at 5350 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard;
GT Bray Park at 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton;
Buffalo Creek Park at 7550 69th Street East, Palmetto;
Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street East, Palmetto.
For more local Erika updates, follow Manatee County on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter,
@ManateeGov.
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