Pools Close In Manatee County As Potential Tropical Storm Approaches

FLORIDA — With Potential Tropical Cyclone One poised to become Tropical Storm Alex sometime Friday, pools and aquatic centers will close in Manatee County this weekend.

The storm is about 420 miles southwest of Fort Myers Friday morning. It’s expected to move across the southeastern Gulf of Mexico through Friday night, across the southern and central portions of the Florida peninsula on Saturday, and then over the southwestern Atlantic north of the Bahamas Saturday afternoon through Sunday, the National Hurricane Center told Patch.

Heavy rain and winds — and, potentially, flooding — are predicted in the area, leading to the closure of the pools Saturday and Sunday, the county on its Facebook page.

• Related: Tropical Storm Alex Expected To Form Friday, Warnings Issued For FL

Central Florida, South Florida and the Florida Keys can expect 4 to 8 inches of rain with a maximum of 12 inches across South Florida and in the Keys, the NHC said.

The new Lincoln Aquatic Center in Palmetto was already closed Friday. Other facilities impacted by the closures include the G.T. Bray Aquatic Center, Willie J. “Bro” Clemons, Jr. Pool, John H. Marble Pool and Pride Splash Pad.

Bradenton has also closed the Riverwalk Splash Pad Friday through Sunday because of the expected inclement weather, the city shared on Facebook. The drains will be cleaned of debris Monday morning and the splash pad will reopen.