Manatee County urges residents to stay put as Hurricane Milton approaches

Bradenton, Fla. (WFLA) — Manatee County officials said residents must hunker down where they are, as weather conditions have rapidly deteriorated.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, continues to barrel toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Storm surge is expected to peak from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Thursday.

The county has opened up six new shelters as residents evacuate.

The six new shelters in Manatee County are:

• Electa Lee Magnet Middle School: 4000 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton
• Freedom Elementary School: 9515 State Raod 64, Bradenton
• Robert Willis Elementary School:14705 The Master’s Avenue, Lakewood Ranch
• Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School: 3404 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish
• Gene Witt Elementary School: 200 Rye Road East, Bradenton
• Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary School: 505 63rd Avenue East, Bradenton

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There is space available at the already opened locations:

• Virgil Mills Elementary School: 7200 69th Street East, Palmetto
• Buffalo Creek Middle School: 7320 69th Street East, Palmetto
• Jessie P. Miller Elementary School: 601 43rd Street West, Bradenton
• Myakka Elementary School: 37205 Manatee Avenue, Myakka City
• W D Sugg Middle School: 5602 38th Avenue West, Bradenton
• Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School: 8610 115th Avenue East, Parrish
• B D Gullett Elementary School: 12125 44th Avenue East, Bradenton
• Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School: 6325 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch
• Dr. Mona Jain Middle School: 12205 44th Avenue East, Bradenton
• Robert H. Prine Elementary: 3801 Southern Parkway West, Bradenton.

A special needs shelter is also available for residents who have pre-registered.

For county updates, visit MyManatee.org .

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