Manatee County to begin sandbag distribution as Matthew approaches Florida

As Hurricane Matthew approaching Florida’s east coast, Manatee County will begin distributing sandbags at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

While no watches and warnings have yet been put in place for Manatee County, the county’s public works department will distribute the sandbags from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at five locations.

The five locations are:

• Buffalo Creek Golf Course, 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto.
• G.T. Bray, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton.
• Lakewood Ranch Ball Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton.
• Stormwater Operations, 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton.
• Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto.

Although Manatee County isn’t in Matthew’s “cone of uncertainty,” residents should still expect scattered thunderstorms, gusty winds and potentially deadly lightning strikes. While flooding is expected for Polk and Highlands counties, the National Weather Service report said “little to no impact is anticipated” in west central and southwest Florida.

Sherilyn Burris with Manatee County Emergency Management wanted to remind residents that it pays off to be prepared in the event that the forecasts changes.

Burris said less than an inch of rain and winds from 15 to 20 miles per hour can be expected into Friday.

Anyone who wants weather warnings can sign up for the county’s CodeRed by visiting mymanatee.org.

Schools are planned to be open as usual for the rest of the week, according to a Thursday update from the Manatee County School District. The school district is working with the County Emergency Management office to provide updates.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts red tide that has persisted in the area since last month to continue to cause respiratory issues through the week.

This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Manatee County to begin sandbag distribution as Matthew approaches Florida."