Islander Staff reports
States of emergency at the Florida and local level were declared ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa, which was impacting Cuba July 5 and threatening Florida.
Anna Maria commissioners held an emergency meeting July 2, ahead of the holiday weekend, and by unanimous vote enacted a local state of emergency.
The declaration transfers power from the city commission to Mayor Dan Murphy for up to seven days — a term that could be extended if needed.
The declaration allows Murphy “to take all actions necessary and appropriate to protect human life and property,” according to the resolution that granted the state of emergency.
Despite the federal holiday, Anna Maria public works director Dean Jones said his crews would be on duty July 5.
“This is our city, we need to make it safe,” Murphy said about his commitment to do what he must, including if necessary, setting a curfew, banning alcohol sales and other protections.
The state of emergency also grants Murphy up to $10,000 funding for emergency supplies — boards to cover city building windows and other gear — without commission approval.
In Bradenton Beach, commissioners met July 5 to declare a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander July 2 that he was monitoring the storm, but he did not anticipate a declared state of emergency.
Early July 5, sandbaggers were outside city hall preparing for the storm.
Manatee County’s state of emergency came July 4 and Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 15 counties, including Manatee.
“It’s important for the public to monitor the storm and prepare for a possible tropical storm impacting our area,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur. “This will largely be a rain event but as the ground is already saturated, trees can easily topple from the winds produced by tropical storms in our area.”
County officials said in a statement that they did not anticipate issuing any evacuation orders for Elsa but a special needs shelter would open July 6.
Stay tuned to The Islander on Facebook.