The storm fizzled, but concerns for rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Erika remained Aug. 31
Several area governments took emergency action Aug. 28-29 in anticipation of heavy wind and rain in the storm’s path.
Manatee County Commissioners met Aug. 28 and declared a local state of emergency in advance of the storm, allowing them to act quickly in response to the storm and its aftermath.
After forecasters downgraded Erika on the morning of Aug. 29, the county announced plans to deactivate its emergency operations center. But emergency management chief Don Hermey said officials would continue to monitor the storm.
“The bad news is, we’re going to get more rain and we’re already pretty wet out there,” Hermey said, according to a county news release. “The good news is we’re not talking about 15 inches of rain, but we are talking up to around 3-5 inches of rain, and that’s a lot on top of what we’ve already had since late July.”
Cognizant of the storm’s downgrade, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach commissions held similar emergency meetings Aug. 29. The Bradenton Beach commission unanimously approved a resolution declaring a state of emergency, more out of caution than necessity.
Holmes Beach commissioners did not meet.
Bradenton Beach commissioners gave Lt. John Cosby of the police department certain emergency powers for up to seven days, after which they are renewable.
“Yesterday things looked very different. Today it looks really good,” Cosby said of the storm on Aug. 29. “It’s moving to the west. It’s a lot of rain, though there shouldn’t be any wind.”
The resolution gives Cosby the authority to act on the city’s behalf to mitigate the effects of an emergency without asking the commission for approval.
A veteran officer, he’s had this responsibility before. But, he said, he’s rarely had to exercise such power unilaterally. At most, he’s made the decision to “call a vendor in,” but he told commissioners as soon as possible.
Emergency situations have resulted in some unique acts of governance. Years ago, Cosby said, when the city government evacuated to a local motel, the commission met in a parking lot and reached consensus on how to proceed.
Commissioner Janie Robertson described Cosby’s temporary duties as like having power of attorney.
After Robertson asked questions about Cosby’s role, Mayor Jack Clarke read for the record the responsibilities Cosby takes on during the up-to-seven days the state allows enforcement of such local resolutions.
Cosby can appropriate and spend public funds. He is in charge of public works, taking whatever action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the city and its residents. He can enter into contracts, incur city obligations, hire temporary or permanent workers, utilize volunteer workers, rent equipment and acquire and distribute supplies and materials.
Like most other municipalities, Bradenton Beach enacts a state of emergency for each emergency situation — manmade or natural — including tropical storms, such as June 2012 when Tropical Storm Debby hit the area, damaging the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Doing so allows the city to fall in line with other cities, Manatee County and the state.
Declaring the state of emergency protects the jurisdiction in case a major disaster results and they are entitled to federal disaster relief funds.
Cosby said the Bradenton Beach commission could call another meeting during the seven days to rescind the resolution before it expires. He added that the seven-day limit provides checks and balances that prevent governments from abusing the process.
He said some officials may believe they have a blank check with which to purchase everything from computers to tractors, and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse them, when it’s unlikely, Cosby said.
“That’s not what it’s intended to do,” he said of the resolution.
Anna Maria declares state of emergency
The Anna Maria City Commission declared a state of emergency in response to concerns about Tropical Storm Erika during an Aug. 29 emergency meeting at city hall.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he hoped the storm wouldn’t be a problem, but he wanted the city to be prepared.
The state of emergency will automatically rescind after seven days, but commissioners could dismiss it earlier.
In a state of emergency the mayor is granted emergency powers prescribed by state law and the city charter.
A few of the mayor’s powers, according to the city charter, are, but not limited to, creating a curfew, prohibiting the sale of alcohol and/or gasoline, declaring certain parts of the city off limits, and establishment of an emergency operations center.
Residents of the city can register and receive at city hall a blue tag designed to hang from a vehicle’s rear-view mirror to identify themselves as residents of Anna Maria. The tag allows a resident to return to the city if the island is evacuated.
To get a tag, residents need to bring proof of residency and a government-issued ID to Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach issue similar tags.
— Tal Reeve