Live updates: Manatee County prepares for Hurricane Milton to hit as a major storm

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UPDATE: Manatee County is continuing to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s landfall . See Tuesday’s live updates here .

Manatee County is preparing Monday for a possible direct hit from Hurricane Milton later this week.

The storm is forecast to make landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with 10 to 15 feet of life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds of over 110 mph and other threats.

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

“This is a serious storm,” Manatee County Public Safety Manager Jodie Fiske said. “We need folks to take these evacuation orders seriously and get out of harm’s way.”

The National Hurricane Center is urging Florida residents to finish their emergency storm preparations over the next 24 hours and be in safe shelter by Tuesday night.

Bradenton residents prep for Milton

Manatee County residents still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene are rushing to prepare and evacuate ahead of another second major storm.

People in Bradenton boarded windows and packed their cars, ready to leave Monday while debris and damage left by Hurricane Helene remained widespread. As Hurricane Milton approaches for a possible direct hit with powerful winds and life-threatening storm surge, many in the area have yet to recover from the historic storm surge brought by the previous storm.

Pete Thornton, 81, and his wife Jeanne, 81, fear the combination of Hurricane Helene and now Milton will spell the end of their time in Florida. Back-to-back storms and the damage that comes with them is too much, Pete said.

“This is probably the end of us being down here,” Pete said quietly, tears welling in his eyes.

The couple has lived in Florida part-time for the last 20 years, dividing their time between the Sunshine State and Minnesota.

But when the storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused a shipping container to float across the street and knock his home’s foundation in Trailer Estates, the significant damage left behind caused him to re-think the viability of living in Florida as storms become more frequent and increase in intensity.

— 5:50 p.m.

Storm surge threat increases for Manatee

The latest 5 p.m. forecast from the National Hurricane Center increased the amount of possible storm surge that Manatee County and Southwest Florida could see from Hurricane Milton.

The new storm surge forecast is 10 to 15 feet, up from 8 to 12 feet at the last advisory.

“Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory.

— 5 p.m.

Anna Maria Island water to be shut off Tuesday

Water service to Anna Maria Island will be shut off on Tuesday, Manatee County officials said during a press conference Monday.

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 the county’s infrastructure, officials said.

— 2:40 p.m.

Emergency shelters open

Manatee County has opened the following emergency shelters as of 2:30 p.m. Monday:

• 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)

A special needs shelter is also available. Registration must be completed at MyManatee.org/needs .

— 2:30 pm.

SRQ and Tampa Bay area airports to close 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.

Watches and warnings for Manatee County

As of 11 p.m. Monday, 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.

Manatee schools closed

School District of Manatee County officials announced Sunday that all schools will be closed for at least several days this week.

District officials have so far confirmed that schools will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. All school activities, including sports, will be canceled on those days.

“We will keep you updated on this storm as we receive additional information about its impact on our schools,” the district said in an update on Sunday.

The district will keep parents updated via phone calls, emails and texts as well as on social media and the district’s website , school officials said.

Manatee County schools typically close for a day or more when severe tropical weather is anticipated. School buildings are used as evacuation shelters during hurricanes.

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.