Live updates: Manatee County braces for a major hurricane as Ian gets stronger
Here are the latest updates from Tuesday.
Manatee County and Tampa Bay are under a hurricane warning as Ian intensified on Monday and continued to track towards Florida’s west coast, where it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Wednesday.
As of 11 p.m., Ian continued to gain strength as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is expected to strengthen to Category 4 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico in the next day or so before it begins to gradually weaken. But it is still predicted to a powerful Category 3 storm as it reaches the Tampa Bay area.
A hurricane warning is in effect for north of Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay. That includes Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas and coastal Hillsborough counties.
A storm surge warning is in effect for coastal areas.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible inside the warning area within 24 to 36 hours, NHC said. But tropical force winds would arrival sooner than that.
A storm surge warning means that life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland could occur during the next 36 hours within the warning area.
NHC forecasters say there is still considerable uncertainty in the hurricane’s path after the next 36 hours, so residents should stay tuned for updates.
Ian strengthens as hurricane warnings issued
Ian is expended to continue rapidly intensifying as it continues its course towards the west coast of Florida. The storm is expected to sweep over Cuba overnight and then pivot east.
A hurricane warning is now in effect for north of Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay. That includes Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas and coastal Hillsborough counties.
That means hurricane-level impacts could be felt withing 24-36 hours, the NHC said in a 5 p.m. update.
Ian is currently forecast to pass very near the coast of Manatee and the Tampa Bay area as a powerful Category 3 hurricane before weakening and making landfall in the Big Bend area. The storm’s predicted slow pace through the Gulf of Mexico prolongs the window of time that Florida’s coast could be exposed to severe weather conditions.
“A significant storm surge is quite possible for portions of the west coast of Florida,” NHC Acting Director Jamie Rhome said in a Monday afternoon update.
— 5p.m.
Hurricane shelters open
Fifteen schools are opening as hurricane shelters as the School District of Manatee County will close all schools starting Tuesday, Sept. 27, until further notice.
The shelters will open 8 a.m. Tuesday.
- Nolan Middle School (Special Needs)
- Braden River High School (Pet Friendly)
- Manatee High School (Pet Friendly)
- Mills Elementary School (Pet Friendly)
- Bayshore Elementary School
- Freedom Elementary School
- Gullett Elementary School
- Harvey Elementary School
- Lee Middle School
- Myakka City Elementary School
- Miller Elementary School
- McNeal Elementary School
- Rogers Garden Elementary School
- Williams Elementary School
- Willis Elementary School
For information on how to prepare, and what to bring to a shelter, visit Manatee County’s Emergency Shelters website.
Those who use the special needs shelter must be registered on the Special Needs Registry.
— 1 p.m.
Manatee County issues evacuations, closures
Manatee County officials ordered mandatory and voluntary evacuations in certain parts of the county Monday morning. If you live in Zone A, a high-risk coastal area, evacuations are mandatory. For now, Zone B evacuations are voluntary.
Visit www.MyManatee.org/residents/information to review your evacuation zone in Manatee County.
“We’re expecting sustained tropical or hurricane winds to our barrier islands and coastal communities for as long as 48 hours, with the earliest arrival predicted for 8 p.m. Tuesday,” said County Administrator Scott Hopes. “This is a worst-case scenario with a very strong, slow-moving storm just to the west of us.”
Manatee County’s public safety officials also announced a 1 p.m. meeting to share updates about the evacuations and closures. In the meantime, the NHC says “efforts to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
The latest Hurricane Ian forecast says the storm is preparing to undergo rapid intensification as it approaches western Cuba over the next 24 to 36 hours and becomes a major hurricane.
Once the hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico, NHC experts say a southwesterly wind shear will begin weakening the storm, but Ian is still expected to impact Florida’s Gulf Coast “at or near major hurricane strength.”
County officials also announced a series of closures. The following services county services will be closed until further notice:
- Manatee County Parks and Preserves (close of business Monday)
- Manatee County Public Libraries (starting Tuesday)
- Manatee County Animal Welfare facilities (starting Tuesday)
- Manatee County Building and Construction inspection services (starting Tuesday)
- MCAT bus routes (starting Tuesday afternoon)
Are there any other closures you know about? You can report other closures in Manatee County by emailing metro@bradenton.com.
— 11 a.m.
Residents need to prepare now
Conditions will begin to deteriorate Tuesday night as Ian approaches the west coast of Florida.
Ian’s pressure has dropped as of the 8 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center — an indication that Ian is about to intensify.
Even if the eye, or center of the storm, remains off the coast of Manatee County, the area would be on the “dirty side,” or the wet side of the storm.
“Due to the likelihood of tropical-force winds on Wednesday, there will be no yard waste or recycling collection that day; therefore, every effort is being made to have all garbage and recycling routes completed on Monday and Tuesday,” Manatee County government announced late Sunday on social media.
The Lena Road Landfill hours will be open until 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday for any haulers and residents needing to bring a load ahead of the storm.
— 8 a.m.
Ian becomes a hurricane
No evacuation orders have been issued yet Monday, but that could change later in the day.
In Manatee County, local public safety officials over the weekend urged residents to begin their preparations as they continue to monitor Ian. Sandbags are available at several locations around the county.
Manatee County schools are scheduled to open on Monday, the district announced late Sunday.
— 5 a.m.
Track forecast update
The official forecast cone continues to shift east, as the NHC splits the difference between the major forecast models, some of which show it landing near Tampa Bay and others more toward Appalachia Bay.
“It should again be stressed that there is still significant uncertainty in the track of Ian, especially in the 3-5 day time frame, and (people) should not focus on the details of the track forecast at longer time ranges,” the NHC said.
Regardless of where exact landfall is, the storm is now estimated to have 140 mph winds, an increase from Sunday’s forecast after satellite images show it is better organized with a more defined center.
Hurricane Ian is facing conditions today that will allow it to strengthen into a major hurricane before it reaches Cuba on Monday night.
It will again have conditions favorable for strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico, but the Hurricane Center said by Wednesday it will face wind shear and dry air that could weaken it before landfall.
“Despite the reduction in intensity, Ian is likely to have an expanding wind field and will be slowing down by that time, which will have the potential to produce significant wind and storm surge impacts along the west coast of Florida.”
— 5 a.m.
Forecast for Bradenton, Manatee County
Here are the details of the Hurricane Warning for all of Manatee, including Parrish, Myakka City, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island.
WIND
- Bradenton and Anna Maria Island: Tropical Storm to Hurricane force wind, 60-80 mph with gusts to 95 mph. Tropical storm force winds from early Wednesday morning until Friday afternoon; hurricane force winds possible from Wednesday morning until Thursday afternoon.
- Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Myakka City: Tropical Storm force wind, 30-40 mph with gusts to 75 mph. Tropical storm force winds from early Wednesday morning until Thursday evening.
- Potential for wind greater than 110 mph
- Plan for extreme wind of equivalent Category 3 hurricane force or higher.
Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for catastrophic wind damage.
Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.
Potential wind impacts:
- Devastating to catastrophic structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
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STORM SURGE IN AREAS NEAR WATERWAYS
- Life-threatening storm surge possible with a peak of 7-10 feet above ground somewhere within surge-prone areas from early Wednesday morning
- Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 9 feet above ground.
- Plan for extreme life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 9 feet above ground.
Evacuation efforts should soon be brought to completion before driving conditions become unsafe.
- Assemble disaster supplies and know your evacuation route. Leave if evacuation orders are given for your area. Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in the loss of your life.
Potential storm surge impacts:
- Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
- Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
- Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.
A 3 foot surge above high tide can overtop Anna Maria Island and begins to flood homes along the Manatee River; a 4 foot surge above high tide begins to flood homes near Interstate 75 and the Manatee River; a 6 foot surge above high tide floods areas south of Port Manatee to U.S. 41.
FLOODING RAIN
- Potential for major flooding rain with peak rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts
- Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
- Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
Potential impacts:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
TORNADO
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
- If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives.
- If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
Potential impacts:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.
This story was originally published September 26, 2022 at 6:38 AM.