Hurricane Dorian models keeps shifting. Manatee officials keeping plans flexible
As Hurricane Dorian, now a Category 3 storm, continues to track toward Florida, Manatee County officials say they’re keeping their contingency plans flexible.
In a Friday afternoon press conference, local officials provided updates on local evacuation and shelter plans, while urging residents to continue gathering storm preparation kits and putting together together emergency plans.
Manatee County’s acting Public Safety Director Jake Saur explained that the constant shifts in Dorian’s forecast tracks are forcing officials to modify their plans routinely.
Hurricane Dorian forecast keeps changing
“We are expecting a Category 4 storm to hit somewhere along the east coast of Florida sometime Monday or Tuesday,” Saur said. “The impacts to Manatee County locally could begin as early as Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening lasting through Wednesday evening in our area on the west coast of Florida.”
“Models have multiple different solutions to Dorian turning to the west or south, and that’s some of the problem we’ve been having with setting a firm plan in place before it’s needed,” he continued.
As of Friday afternoon, the county says it has no plans for an evacuation order. However, the county put together a plan to open shelters for those in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
“The storm is changing constantly, so we Manatee County residents keep watching media outlets and following the county’s updates on our social media channels,” said County Administrator Cheri Coryea.
Current forecasts predict between 3 and 6 feet of storm surge on the Gulf Coast, Saur said, and 4 to 5 inches of rainfall is expected, which could pose a significant threat given the already saturated ground.
“We do know that those trees are easily toppled over after the amount of rain we’re getting and expected to get during Dorian,” he explained.
According to the latest information, Dorian is expected to shift north after it makes landfall, which could mean a significant decrease in the storm effects in the Bradenton area.
“Every time we solidify our plan, it updates again. It is looking it’s going to turn north a little bit early, so we’re going to delay our decisions until tomorrow,” Saur said.
When will Manatee County shelters open?
On Saturday, the county expects to announce updates regarding any changes in trash pickup and which shelters will be opened in the event of an emergency. A shelter for those with special needs will open first and some pet-friendly general population shelter openings may follow on Sunday, according to Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer.
“Each time (Dorian) slows down, it’s like a domino effect. We don’t want people in the shelters too long. We don’t want the schools closed too long,” he said. “We’re hoping to make a determination on when and which shelters we’re going to use, by the latest, tomorrow afternoon.”
The next press briefing from the county will be held Sunday at noon. In the meantime, safety officials say residents need to prepare for a storm that could knock out power for up to a week.
“Now is the time to fuel your car and get your supplies,” Litschauer said. “Prepare now to avoid the long lines.”
How to prepare for Hurricane Dorian in Manatee County
Free sandbags are being provided from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, officials said. Pickup locations are at G.T. Bray Park, Bennett Park, Lakewood Ranch Park and the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Proof of residency with an ID is required and there is a limit of 10 bags per household.
The local frenzy for non-perishable food, gas, water and other hurricane kit must-haves has already begun. In Palmetto, Virginia Hayes spent at least 30 minutes waiting in line for sandbags Friday afternoon.
“When I went out this morning to the Walmart for gas, they were out,” she said. “The shelves were almost empty, so people are preparing.”
Residents have observed that the availability of gas in the area is already extremely limited. Down Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road, gas stations have posted signs announcing that their pumps are dry.
“I’m as ready as I can be, but I need to live these next few days before the storm gets here, and there’s no gas anywhere, so that’s going to be hard to do,” said Cameron Curry, who could only manage to pump out 39 cents of gas from the Wawa at 701 First Street E.
Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide declaration of emergency Thursday, local municipalities in Manatee County have issued similar declarations, as well.
According to School District of Manatee County spokesman Mike Barber, all athletic events on Monday and Tuesday have been canceled, but district officials continue to the monitor the storm over the Labor Day weekend. Any school closures will be announced later in the weekend.
“We’ll keep everyone informed as we move through this process,” Barber said.
Rain will be persistent throughout the weekend, with a 70 percent chance of rain holding steady throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.
The latest weather forecasts show Manatee County beginning to receive tropical storm wind conditions, with an 80 percent chance of rain on Monday. According to the National Weather Service, winds of between 30 mph to 35 mph are expected to arrive in the area Tuesday afternoon and continue into early Wednesday. Gusts could reach as much as 55 mph.
For more information regarding Hurricane Dorian, residents are asked to call the Citizens Information Center at (941) 749-3547 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
This story was originally published August 30, 2019 at 2:04 PM.
