Tropical depression expected intensify, bring heavy rainfall, to Sarasota, Manatee

Melissa Pérez-Carrillo and Cheryl McCloud, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·8 min read
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While the tropical depression that had been Invest 93L hasn't fully formed, the depression is expected to become a tropical storm and eventually a hurricane that will impact the Sarasota-Manatee area as it moves north into the Gulf of Mexico early next week.

The tropical depression is expected to become Tropical Storm Idalia Sunday and begin moving into the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and quickly move northeast into Florida on Wednesday, forecasters said Saturday.

The first National Hurricane Center advisory on the depression Saturday put the track of the storm heading toward the Panhnadle, but the right side of the forecast cone included the area just south of Tampa Bay.

Gov. Ron DeSantis included Sarasota and Manatee counties in an emergency declaration Saturday.

“I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked,” he said.

The forecast for the weather system that was about 500 miles southwest of Tampa on Saturday afternoon anticipated a tropical storm or hurricane making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast early to mid-next week, with the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and for isolated tornadic activity, according to the governor’s office.

Rainfall estimations are subject to change, but National Weather Service forecaster Austen Flannery said that the region can expect 4-6 inches of rain from the tropical disturbance. The system is expected to move quickly so it's likely the rain will not have time to pile up. Expect 6 or more inches of rain along the coast and lesser amounts inland.

"At this point, it hasn’t materialized into anything," Flannery said. "We’re looking into a tropical depression or a tropical storm, but there’s still uncertainty."

Tropical Storm force winds were expected to impact Florida Tuesday or Wednesday, according to a weather service briefing. Hurricane force winds are possibility, but currently on the low side, forecasters said earlier Saturday.

Coastal storm surge potential, mainly on the barrier islands, would potentially reach 3 to 5 feet above ground level on Tuesday or Wednesday. King Tides -- a higher than normal tide that lasts about three hours -- are expected this week, meaning high tides will be running a half to one foot higher than normal, forecasters said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency in preparation for the storm

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued declared an emergency for 33 of 67 Florida counties in preparation for Invest 93L, including Sarasota and Manatee. He and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are working to prepare infrastructure and communities, including those still recovering from Hurricane Ian.

“I signed an Executive Order issuing a state of emergency out of an abundance of caution to ensure that the Florida Division of Emergency Management can begin staging resources and Floridians have plenty of time to prepare their families for a storm next week,” DeSantis said. “I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked.”

On a budget? Here's 5 cheap ways to prepare your home for Florida's hurricane season

Previous Invest 93L coverage: A tropical storm may be heading to Florida. Sarasota, Manatee officials say to plan

Could the tropical system help drought conditions?

Any rainfall from the tropical system could help alleviate the drought conditions along the coast in Sarasota and Manatee counties. According to measurements from the National Weather Service's station at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, up to Aug. 25, there had been 4.86 inches of rain this month, 2.3 inches less than normal. Since Jan. 1 there has been 16 inches of rain, 18.2 inches below the average 34.2 inches. That is a record low total for the area from January through August.

What about Hurricane Franklin?

Hurricane Franklin is expected to continue to move in a north-northwestward motion over the western Atlantic through early next week. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane Franklin is forecasted to continue to strengthen and could become a major hurricane early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It's not expected to make landfall in the U.S., but its extending hurricane-winds could impact coastal regions.

When is the Atlantic hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

What is Sarasota County doing to prepare?

Rich Collins, Director of Emergency Services, said the county is monitoring the weather, and the Emergency Management Team is coordinating with the National Weather Service as the future path of the storm becomes more clear.

"At this time, as always, we encourage our community members to be prepared," Collins said in a written statement.

What is Manatee County doing to prepare?

Steve Litschauer, deputy chief for emergency management, said that his team is having internal meetings and daily calls with the National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. They’ve contacted their leads in emergency support functions, Red Cross, Turning Point, and law enforcement agencies to let them know about the storm and keep them in the loop on preparations.Litschauer recommends that residents use the weekend to gas up their cars, stock up on groceries, and think of places to go if they're planning to evacuate.

"There’s nothing to panic about," Litschauer said. "We don’t know if we’ll truly need it, but it’s always best to have a plan."

Longtime Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane retired Aug. 25. Who’s in charge now?

Ed McCrane retired Aug. 25 after 18 years as Sarasota County’s Emergency Management Chief.

Scott Montgomery, who retired from Sarasota County in June 2021 as an Emergency Management section chief and chief lifeguard, is stepping in as interim emergency management chief, while Sarasota County searches for a permanent chief.

Where can I receive updates from Sarasota and Manatee County on the weather disturbance?

Use Sarasota County’s website at https://www.scgov.net/beprepared for a disaster planning guide, transportation plan, and resources for preparing homes for storms.

Sign up for emergency alerts at MyManatee.org/AlertManatee. Use MyManatee.org/weather to determine the evacuation level and location of open shelters and sandbags.

Where can I find a list of hurricane supplies to get?

The second of two 14-day sales tax holidays to help residents purchase hurricane supplies began on Saturday, Aug. 26, and will run until Sept. 8.

House Bill 7063 makes the following items exempt from sales tax during the two 14-day periods:

  • Self-powered lights of $40 or less.

  • Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather-band radio of $50 or less.

  • A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.

  • An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.

  • A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.

  • A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.

  • A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.

  • A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.

  • Reusable ice with a sales price of $20 or less.

  • A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.

  • A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.

  • A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.

  • A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.

The tax holidays also include a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets. Exempted items include:

  • Bags of dry dog food or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $100 or less per bag.

  • Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.

  • Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less per item.

  • Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item.

  • Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

  • Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item.

  • Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

  • Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $25 or less per item.

  • Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

  • Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package.

  • Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package.

  • Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package.

  • Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item.

Contributing: Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press, and Cheryl McCloud, USA Today.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hurricane center: system could bring heavy rainfall to Gulf Coast