Live updates: Manatee County evacuates low-lying areas as Hurricane Milton approaches

Hurricane Milton remains on course to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast this week as a powerful Category 3 storm with potential for a direct landfall in Manatee County.

The storm is forecast to push up to 15 feet of life-threatening storm surge ashore in Southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area as it nears landfall late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Milton weakened overnight to a Category 4 as it went through an eyewall replacement cycle, but it regained Category 5 status Tuesday. Wind shear is expected to weaken Milton to a Category 3 before landfall. But forecasters warn Milton will remain an extremely powerful storm and grow in size as it nears Florida’s west coast.

Tropical storm-force winds could reach Manatee County by early Wednesday afternoon. Coastal Manatee County could see up to 12 inches of rain through Thursday, with higher amounts in some areas, hurricane forecasters predict. In inland Manatee County, up to 8 inches of rain is predicted, with locally higher amounts. The heavy rains could bring flash and river flooding. Tornadoes are also possible.

And storm surge of up to 15 feet is expected to impact coastal areas already hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.

Manatee County officials have issued evacuation orders for Levels A, B and C. Officials are urging residents to make final storm preparations and get to a safe place as soon as possible.

Over 3,500 residents in Manatee County shelters

Manatee County residents are taking evacuation orders seriously ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival and flocking to public evacuation shelters.

As of Tuesday evening, over 3,500 residents have arrived at shelters around Manatee, according to county spokesman Bill Logan.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, the following shelters are open:

• Virgil Mills Elementary School (7200 69th St. E., Palmetto)
• Jessie P. Miller Elementary School (601 43rd St. W., Bradenton)
• Myakka Elementary School (37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City)
• W D Sugg Middle School (5602 38th Ave. W., Bradenton)
• Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School (8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish)
• B D Gullett Elementary School (12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)
• Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School (6325 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch)
• Dr. Mona Jain Middle School (12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)
• Robert H. Prine Elementary (3801 Southern Pkwy. W., Bradenton)

A special needs shelter is also available. Registration must be completed at MyManatee.org/needs. All shelters are pet-friendly, but pets must be brought in a crate.

—6 p.m.

National Hurricane Center 4 p.m. update

Milton has strengthened back to a Category 5 hurricane, the NHC said in a 4 p.m. advisory on Tuesday.

The storm was about 480 miles southwest of Tampa with sustained winds of 165 mph.

Milton’s forecast track has shifted slightly south, but hurricane forecasters say the storm’s landfall site is far from certain.

“It is still critical to remember that even at 36 hours (around the time of potential landfall), NHC’s track forecasts can be off by an average of 60 (miles), which means we still can’t pinpoint an exact landfall location, especially if additional wobbles occur in the short term,” the NHC said.

Hurricane forecasters expect the storm to begin a northeast turn on Tuesday night.

Strong wind shear is expected to weaken Milton to a Category 3 before landfall, but forecasters warn it is still likely to be an extremely powerful storm.

Milton’s wind field currently extends about 140 miles from the storm’s center. But it is expected to nearly double in size by landfall, spreading hurricane and tropical storm-force winds over a much larger swath of Florida’s west coast.

— 5 p.m.

Manatee County schools closed through Friday

Manatee County schools will remain closed through at least Friday due to Hurricane Milton, school district officials announced Tuesday.

All extracurricular activities, including sports, are canceled for the week.

“Once the storm has passed and we have an assessment of our schools, we will update you on plans to resume classes for students,” district officials said.

— 4:30 p.m.

Sunshine Skyway likely to close within 24 hours

The Florida Department of Transportation says several major Tampa Bay area bridges will likely close by Wednesday afternoon.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge will close when wind sustained speeds exceed 45 mph, the agency said.

“Based on that, we anticipate a full closure of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge by Wednesday afternoon,” FDOT said Tuesday.

The Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Bridge and Courtney Campbell Causeway will close when water levels get too high — possibly by Wednesday afternoon.

“Residents should take potential bridge closures into account when planning evacuation routes and timing. Keep in mind, there may come a time when it is no longer safe or possible to evacuate using these bridges,” FDOT said.

“The public is NOT allowed to cross the bridges once they are closed and should NOT cross the bridges, even if there are no physical barriers or officers there,” the agency said.

— 4 p.m.

National Hurricane Center 1 p.m. update

As of 1 p.m., Hurricane Milton was gaining strength a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds.

It was about 520 miles southwest of Tampa.

Hurricane forecasters expect Milton to begin turning northeast later Tuesday and continue its path toward Florida’s west coast. Landfall is expected late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. Manatee County and the Tampa Bay area are still in the path of a potential direct hit.

“While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida,” the NHC said.

— 2 p.m.

Manatee County evacuation orders

Manatee County officials have issued evacuation orders for residents in Level A, Level B and Level C, as well as anyone staying in an RV or mobile home.

Residents in those areas should evacuate immediately to a shelter or other safe place.

“We do not issue evacuation orders lightly,” Jodie Fiske, the county’s public safety director, said in a statement. “Milton is anticipated to cause more storm surge than Helene. So, if you stayed during Helene, and got lucky, I would not press my luck with this particular system.”

Residents can check their evacuation level at MyManatee.org/storm or by calling 311.

Anna Maria Island utilities shutting off

Water, sewer and electricity to Anna Maria Island will be shut off on Tuesday, City of Anna Maria officials shared in an update.

The shutoff will affect the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and the Town of Longboat Key.

Water is shut off ahead of severe storm surge predictions to prevent damage to county infrastructure.

The island’s water and sewer will shut off at 10 a.m., and electricity will be shut off Tuesday afternoon or evening, city officials said.

SRQ and Tampa Bay area airports closing Tuesday

Regional airports have announced closures ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will close Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Tampa International Airport will close Tuesday at 9 a.m.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close after the last flight departs Tuesday; all flights are canceled Wednesday and Thursday.

Manatee County trash pickup and closures

DEBRIS AND TRASH PICKUP:

• Crews are working to collect debris from Hurricane Helene before Hurricane Milton’s arrival. Once pickup crews have gone through your neighborhood, you should not put any additional debris at the curb. “Any debris left near the curb as Milton comes through can clog drains or become a projectile during high winds,” Manatee County Government said in a news release.
  
  
• Garbage and recycling pickups are canceled for Manatee County residents on Tuesday and Wednesday as crews focus on removing debris.

MCAT BUSES:

• Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will suspend normal operations after Monday night. Beginning Tuesday, MCAT will operate emergency transfers to shelters for as long as conditions allow. Transport from the islands to shelters will start at 2 p.m. Monday and occur on the hour until nightfall at the CVS (611 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach).

COUNTY OFFICES AND PARKS:

• Manatee County Government offices and facilities will close at the end of business Monday and remain closed through Friday.
• All county parks and preserves are closed until further notice. “Our facilities will be reopened once conditions have been deemed safe,” Manatee County Government said in a news release.

Watches and warnings for Manatee County

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the following watches and warnings are in effect for Manatee County, according to the NHC and the National Weather Service:

HURRICANE WARNING: A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

STORM SURGE WARNING: A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening surge from rising water moving inland from the coastline during the next 36 hours.

FLOOD WATCH: A Flood Watch indicates that current or developing conditions are favorable for flooding. An additional 3-6 inches of rainfall is forecast for Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with locally higher amounts, according to NWS.

This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 10:28 AM.