Hurricane Ian: Evacuations Expanded In Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing with it 155 mph winds and downing trees and power lines throughout the Bradenton area.

Bradenton police urged residents to stay inside Wednesday as officers surveyed the damage and posted photos and videos on Twitter.

"Hang in there everyone. We'll get through this," police tweeted.

Also, Bradenton residents were warned the city’s wastewater treatment plant is full and “is in danger of overflowing,” according to a Wednesday morning Facebook post by the city.

Residents are asked to conserve water, the city said. “Don’t do dishes or laundry, flush only when necessary, limit showering.”

Nearly 1.3 million Florida homes and businesses were without power Wednesday evening and the number keeps climbing. In Manatee County, more than 90,500 of 198,710 Florida Power & Light customers were without power as of 6 p.m.

The National Weather Service also issued an extreme wind warning for southeastern Manatee and Sarasota counties.

• Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

Those living in evacuation level C are encouraged to find shelter further inland, as well, the county said.

Find your evacuation level here.

The following Manatee County public schools will serve as evacuation shelters:

• Nolan Middle School (Special Needs)
• Braden River High School (Pet Friendly)
• Buffalo Creek Middle School (Pet Friendly)
• Manatee High School (Pet Friendly)
• Mills Elementary School (Pet Friendly)
• Bayshore Elementary School
• Freedom Elementary School
• Gullett Elementary School
• Haile Middle School
• Harvey Elementary School
• Lee Middle School
• Myakka Elementary School
• Miller Elementary School
• McNeal Elementary School
• Rogers Gardens Elementary School
• Williams Elementary School
• Willis Elementary School

About 120,000 residents and visitors are being asked to leave the barrier islands, low-lying areas of the county, and any manufactured or mobile home or RV. Most are complying with the orders.

“I cannot stress this enough,” said Steve Litschauer, the county's deputy director of public safety. “Evacuation orders cannot be ignored.”

Related Stories:

• Hurricane Ian Photos: Residents Prepare for Severe Storm Ahead
• Hurricane Ian: Wastewater Plant Full, Likely To Overflow In Bradenton
• To Evacuate Or Not: Some Stay Put To Avoid Clogged Highways, Gas Lines
• Hurricane Ian: 120 MPH Winds And Growing, Landfall At Sarasota
• Hurricane Ian: Here's What Residents Can Expect Starting Wednesday

Utilities crews will be shutting off the potable water service to the barrier islands by sunset on Tuesday to help maintain the integrity of the infrastructure during Ian’s passage. Sewage force mains will also be shut down.

County Closures

The approach of the storm changed county operations beginning Tuesday.

At the close of business Monday, Manatee County Parks and Preserves closed until further notice.

Manatee County Public Libraries and Manatee County Animal Welfare facilities closed Tuesday, until further notice.

Building and construction inspection services will be suspended Tuesday, until further notice, as well.

Normal operations and duties will be suspended for county employees to be reassigned during the emergency.

Manatee County Public Schools also closed Tuesday as the district opened evacuation shelters for the public.

Transit

All Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed-route bus and trolley service will be suspended Tuesday by 6 p.m., the county said.

MCAT Handy Bus service on Tuesday will be restricted to riders traveling to and from dialysis and chemotherapy appointments only.

Recycling, Trash

The Lena Road Landfill will be open extended hours until 6 p.m. on Tuesday to accommodate the haulers and any residents who want to dispose of refuse there.

Manatee County garbage and recycling pick-up is cancelled through the end of the week, the county said.

If any materials are not collected by sunset on Tuesday, residents should remove them from the curb, so they don’t become projectiles during the storm.

Due to the probability of tropical-force winds on Wednesday, there will be no yard waste or recycling collection that day.

In the city of Bradenton, solid waste crews will collect garbage Tuesday until they’re forced off the streets because of sustained high winds. If conditions allow, Thursday’s routes will be picked up on Friday and Friday’s routes on Saturday.

Citizen’s Information Center (311)

Manatee County’s 311 call center will be open and fully staffed 24/7 beginning Tuesday at 8 a.m. to field calls from the public about sandbag locations, storm preparedness and more.