Manatee issues mandatory evacuations as Tropical Storm Idalia moves toward Bradenton

Find the latest live updates for Tuesday here.

Local officials declared a local state of emergency and issued the first mandatory evacuation as Tropical Storm Idalia heads for Florida’s west coast.

Starting 2 p.m. Monday, Manatee County residents who live in Level A are under a mandatory evacuation order. A voluntary evacuation order has also been issued for Level B.

“We’re expecting significant storm surge along the barrier islands and coastal communities for Idalia, with the earliest arrival predicted for Tuesday,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “This is a very dangerous track that we all need to be aware of.”

The latest weather forecast shows Idalia hitting Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday. As of Monday afternoon, Manatee County sits just within the cone of uncertainty, but the forecast could change in the coming days.

In a Monday morning update to the Manatee County Commission, local public safety officials said residents need to take Tropical Storm Idalia very seriously. The storm is set to rapidly intensify into a hurricane over the next several hours and will pose a significant threat to the Bradenton area.

“Do not focus on the eyewall,” said Fiske, who noted that the storm will create flooding, high wind speeds and possibly tornadoes in the area. “You need to focus on the entire storm.”

Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer also expressed concern about Idalia’s path during a brief press conference. He said the storm, expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, could “absolutely” be more dangerous than Hurricane Ian based on the latest forecast.

“This storm is changing very rapidly and as it gets into the Gulf, it’s become very serious. We’re anticipating up to a Category 3 or maybe even a 4,” Litschauer said. “Be prepared and heed our evacuation orders.”

Manatee issues Idalia evacuation order

On Monday morning, Manatee officials issued a mandatory evacuation for residents who live in Level A, including low-lying coastal areas and all mobile home parks throughout the county. A voluntary evacuation order has also been issued for Level B residents.

Between 30,000 and 50,000 residents are expected to be impacted by the county’s evacuation order, Litschauer said.

Manatee County leaders warned that storm surge is the main threat anticipated from Idalia.

A surge of 5 to 11 feet is possible along Manatee County’s coast, commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said during an emergency briefing Monday afternoon.

“Idalia is not Ian,” Van Ostenbridge said. “Wind is not going to be our primary concern. Our primary concern at this point is the storm surge. Coastal residents need to heed our warnings.”

A “king tide” around noon on Wednesday will mean that water levels are exceptionally high, furthering the threat of storm surge.

“We do not want people traveling in the dark in the rain. That’s why we enacted (evacuations) early,” Litschauer said. “Please heed our warnings.”

Visit www.MyManatee.org/ManateeReady to check your evacuation level and view other hurricane preparedness information.

Litschauer said the latest local forecasts call for sustained winds as high as 50 mph with gusts up to 75 mph and 4 to 10 inches of rain.

“Please pay attention to the track,” public safety director Jodie Fiske said. “Just because you get one forecast does not mean that it will stay the same.”

Van Ostenbridge said Piney Point and Lake Manatee are in “good shape” ahead of the storm.

The city of Bradenton also held a brief emergency meeting Sunday evening to approve a resolution that frees up emergency resources to prepare for the incoming storm.

“We don’t want people to panic, but we want you to be prepared,” Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said.

By declaring a local state of emergency, the city qualifies for disaster recovery aid, such as reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Manatee County Government also declared a state of emergency Monday morning.

Idalia poses local flood risk

No matter the strength of the storm, Idalia may pose flooding risks in the Bradenton area, said Perry. Depending on the path, Bradenton could sit on the east side of the storm, also known as the “dirty side,” which creates higher levels of storm surge, rain and wind.

“One of the problems for us right now is that we are in high tide,” Perry said. “Combine that with a couple of feet of storm surge and we have a flood problem.”

Meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center predict the storm will make landfall somewhere along Florida’s Big Bend. Even if the storm follows that track, Manatee County is likely to see significant weather impacts, including heavy rain, potential flooding and high wind speeds.

The Bradenton area is expected to begin experiencing tropical-storm-force winds as soon as Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. As of Monday afternoon, Manatee County is under hurricane warning and storm surge warning, which means that impacts are expected within 36 hours.

In a message posted to X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter, Manatee County Government also urged residents to have an emergency plan in place.

“While the storm’s path and intensity are uncertain, there is a potential for heavy rain and marine hazards,” the county said Sunday morning.

Current rain estimates show the storm bringing 4 to 6 inches of rain to inland Manatee and Sarasota counties and 6 to 10 inches near the coast.

Where to get sandbags

Self-serve sandbag centers opened at 9 a.m. Monday at the following locations:

• Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

• Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach

• Bayfront Park, 310 North Bay Blvd., Anna Maria Island

• Rubonia, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto

• 66th Street West Fleet Building, (non-ADA; entrance directly across from 65th Street West), 4700 66th St. W., Bradenton

• Pride Park, 6032 Ninth St. E., Bradenton

• DeSoto Mall, 303 301 Blvd. West, Bradenton
  
  

• Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City

Bradenton residents: Starting Monday morning, sandbags became available for city of Bradenton residents at the Public Works Annex Building, 1411 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

Sandbags will remain available there until noon Tuesday. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.

Visit www.MyManatee.org/ManateeReady to check your evacuation level and view other hurricane preparedness information.

Residents can sign up for emergency alerts, including National Weather Service updates, by texting “ManateeReady” to 888-777.

Other things to know:

• There will be no yard waste or recycling pickup for Manatee County customers this week. Trash pickup will be adjusted as follows: Tuesday pickup will move to Thursday, Thursday pickup will move to Friday and Friday will move to Saturday.

• The Lena Road Landfill will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, reopening Thursday.

• Manatee County parks are closed for the duration of the storm

• Lifeguards are not patrolling county beaches

Miami Herald reporter Alex Harris contributed to this article.