Manatee schools closed, classes to resume online. One campus was a storm shelter

The School District of Manatee County canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the week, as Eta neared the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The National Weather Service said on Wednesday morning that Eta re-strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane off the southwest coast. Soon after, the school district announced that students and employees would finish out the week online. Schools were already closed on Wednesday for Veterans Day.

Eta then downgraded back to a strong tropical storm at 1 p.m. It was about 65 miles west-southwest of St. Petersburg and about 80 miles southwest of Tampa by 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

“We will be continuing with eLearning, just like we did last April and May,” district spokesman Mike Barber said. “Our students will be able to do eLearning, and our teachers and support staff will be working remotely.”

The district also opened two shelters at noon on Wednesday, though capacity was limited due to COVID-19. The shelters were a haven for those who needed to escape the strong wind and rainfall that was expected to continue into the night.

“The county is referring to them as ‘shelters of last refuge.’ They’re encouraging residents to shelter at home or with friends and family, if possible,” Barber said. “Obviously, we have a pandemic going on.”

Shelter staff, he said, would wear masks and undergo temperature checks. The same will be required of shelter guests.

Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th St. E. in Palmetto, was open to a capacity of 989, down from the normal capacity of 1,484 people.

Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court. W. in Bradenton, will open to a capacity of 617 people, down from the usual capacity of 1,853 people.

“If you have a pet, we are a pet-friendly shelter,” said David Underhill, the principal at Manatee High. “You do have to have a crate for your pet and we have a room designated for them.”

As of Wednesday evening, about 30 people had taken shelter at Manatee High School but none at Mills, so the elementary school’s shelter was closed by 5 p.m.

The center of Eta was was nearing the coast late Wednesday. It was expected to make landfall north of Tampa Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center.

This story was originally published November 11, 2020 at 10:59 AM.