Updated Nov. 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Tropical Storm Eta approaches, Manatee County public safety officials are recommending that Anna Maria Island residents shelter in place if possible, but a voluntary evacuation notice has been issued for Manatee County’s island communities and other low-lying areas.
Eta was downgraded from hurricane status to a tropical storm at 1 p.m.
During a virtual press conference this morning, when it was noted Tropical Storm Eta had been upgraded to a hurricane, Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur said he expected the storm to be downgraded to a tropical storm again before its expected landfall north of Tampa. But he noted there’s only a 5 mph difference in windspeeds between a tropical storm and a hurricane.
Saur said the worst local conditions are anticipated later this evening and throughout the night. He added there’s a possibility of a 2-4 foot storm surge along the barrier islands and possible wind speeds ranging from 50-75 mph.
Saur said fallen trees, downed power lines and the loss of power are likely throughout the county.
“Our biggest concern is storm surge,” Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer said.
When asked what residents should do regarding their storm preparations, Saur said, “Now is the time to prepare. This is a fast-moving storm and it sped up. Now is the time to make their plan. They should expect power outages throughout the night and into the morning. They should make plans for that,” Saur said.
He recommends picking up last-minute food items if needed and walking your yard to clear it of any loose items that could become airborne in high winds.
“Late afternoon or early evening they need to be where they’re going to be. The sooner the better. By late afternoon and this evening they need to be where they’re going to be,” Saur said.
He said all of the public beaches on Anna Maria Island are being closed today and going into the water is not recommended.
Saur said he does not expect the storm’s impact to be as great in the eastern portions of Manatee County, but the impacts will still be felt.
Litschauer said the county is opening two emergency shelters today that should be viewed as “refuge of last resort” because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The closest emergency shelter to Anna Maria Island is Manatee High School, located at 902 33rd St. W. in Bradenton. A second shelter is being readied and opened at Mills Elementary School in Palmetto, located at 7200 69th St. Both shelters are pet friendly.
The two shelters will have limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are required and will be provided to those who need them. Litschauer said due to the COVID-19 concerns, these public shelters should only be used as a last resort.
Those going to a shelter are asked to bring their own bedding, chairs and other needed items.
“Masks will be mandatory. We want to enforce social distancing too,” Litschauer said.
Due to the pandemic, capacity at both shelters will be limited. Litschauer said the normal shelter capacity at Manatee High School is 1,853 and that has been reduced to 617 people because of the pandemic. He said the normal capacity at Mills Elementary is 1,484 people and that has been reduced to 989 people.
Closures and updates
The COVID-19 testing site at the Bradenton Area Convention Center will temporarily close today at noon.
All Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) operations will be suspended today by 1 p.m.
The Island Branch Library will be closed tomorrow.
Robinson and Emerson Point Preserves will be closed today and tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s Planning Commission meeting has been postponed to Thursday, Nov. 19.
Trash collections are expected to remain on schedule in unincorporated Manatee County.
The World’s Strongest Man Competition scheduled this week on Anna Maria will be moved to the Feld Entertainment Campus and will not be open to the public.
Sandbags
Sandbags are available at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria, at the Holmes Beach Public Works building and at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. In Bradenton, sandbags are available for Bradenton residents only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the public works annex building at 1411 Ninth St W.
More information on shelters, sandbags and the approaching storm is available at the Manatee County website, and on the county’s social media platforms. The county 311 line is in operation to answer questions county residents and visitors have regarding the storm.
Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nick Azzara said MCAT is suspending all bus service today at 1 p.m. and a decision will be made tomorrow (Thursday) as to when those services will resume.
He said the COVID-19 testing at the convention center in Palmetto is being suspended at noon today and may resume tomorrow, depending on the weather.
“Strong winds and storm surge are the main concerns with this storm,” Azzara reiterated.
Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive in the Manatee County area this afternoon and continue through the night.
“This afternoon, conditions are going to start deteriorating. It’s going to be a rough night. It’s going to be a rough morning and then it will start to clear in the afternoon,” Saur said.
Michael Barber from the Manatee County School District said county schools are closed today in honor of Veterans Day and due to the storm will remain closed Thursday and Friday.
“We are still going carry on e-learning,” Barber said. “We plan to still be having school over these next two days.”
