Anna Maria Island Flooding: Steer Clear of the Area, Sheriff Says

BRADENTON, FL — Hurricane Hermine made landfall well north of Manatee County, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t make herself felt in the area. Anna Maria Island was especially hard hit.

"Flooding continues to be a problem on Anna Maria Island and citizens other than island residents are asked to stay off the island," Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dave Bristow said Friday morning. "Many streets are flooded making it a dangerous situation for motorists."

According to Manatee County government, flooding issues on Anna Maria have prompted the closing of the Anna Maria Island Trolley, Beach Express and Longboat Key Trolleys. Service will not resume until island roads are passable.

A Friday pre-dawn assessment of local road conditions conducted by Public Works and Public Safety employees turned up with “better-than-expected conditions” in most areas, the county reported. Even so, downed tree limbs and power lines, along with standing water in low-lying areas are still concerns. With the county in for another 1 to 1.5 inches of rain over the next 24 hours, officials say motorists should take care on all local roads.

According to the county, winds that ripped through the area were clocked as high as 50 mph. Rainfall in some parts of the county was recorded at 10 inches. No official road closings have been announced, but standing water has made some areas impassable, the county said.

“The amount of rain we received overnight was not as great as predicted, so roads are better than we anticipated,” said Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Don Hermey in a Friday statement. “But there are pockets where there’s water over the roads. Anna Maria Island roads are under water. We’re asking people to only go out if necessary and to use extreme caution when you do.”

Manatee residents who want to report damage to homes or impassable roads are asked to call the Manatee Citizens Information Center at 941-748-4501. The number will be manned until 5 p.m. Friday. Over the weekend, damage reports can be left at 941-749-3500, Ext. 1667.

Sandbags are still being offered on Friday at the following locations:

• Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto
• G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Dr. W., Bradenton
• Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton
• Stormwater Ops, 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton
• Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto

Image via Shutterstock