Manatee County commissioners Aug. 28 declared a local state of emergency and urged people to monitor Tropical Storm Erika.
Commissioners took the local action after Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a statewide state of emergency for Aug. 31.
The actions give local and state governments the ability to act quickly when responding to an approaching storm and with the recovery.
As the county commissioners met Aug. 28, the National Hurricane Center issued an update: Erika is forecast to diminish to a tropical depression sometime Aug. 29. The storm could even diminish to a trough of low pressure after passing over Hispaniola.
However, the NHC said Floridians could expect heavy rain beginning late Aug. 30.
In preparation and as a precaution, the county’s emergency operations center’s readiness will be elevated to a Level 2 Aug. 29 and another briefing for the news media will take place at about 2 p.m. Aug. 29.
At that time, EOC officials expect to have a better idea of Erika’s strength and path.
No evacuation notices have been issued.
County emergency management chief Don Hermey said people should expect a heavy rain and high wind event. Up to 15 inches of rain could fall Aug. 31-Sept. 1, creating possible flood conditions.
“Many of our residents know when we have torrential downpours that there’s a strong potential to flood,” Hermey said in a news release. “They need to take extra precaution. With this kind of storm coming, there’s a strong flooding potential. They need to have a heightened awareness and prepare.”
Hermey urged people in the county to monitor local news reports and to have a hurricane plan ready.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 29-30 the county will offer up to 10 sandbags per family at:
- Public Works Drainage Section, 5511 39th Street E., Bradenton.
- Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
- G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton.
- Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto.
- Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto.
On Anna Maria Island, people can find sand for sandbagging at the north end of Bayfront Park in the 300 block of North Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria.
Click on the link to the 2015 Storm Avengers Issue on the right-hand side of the home page.