Tropical Storm Helene: Sandbags, Lake Manatee Dam, Trash Collection

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — With expectations that Tropical Storm Helene will strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall in the U.S., likely somewhere in the Florida Panhandle or the Big Bend area, Thursday, Manatee County issued a local state of emergency Tuesday morning.

This is in addition to the local state of emergency that is still in effect after then Tropical Storm Debby, which was a hurricane at landfall in the Big Bend area, dropped significant rain on the county in August, officials said in a news release.

County staff completed maintenance work on the Lake Manatee Dam. All three gates are operational and the earthen gates have been restored to normal levels.

Related Stories:

• Tropical Storm Helene Aims For Gulf, 61 FL Counties Under Emergency
• Evacuations Planned In Sarasota County Ahead Of Helene: Officials

Crews have also lowered the lake level ahead of the expected heavy rains and storm surge, officials said. The lake was at 36.9 feet Tuesday at 8 a.m., allowing for more capacity.

Residents are asked to call 3-1-1 with any drainage issues, backups or other concerns.

Helene is expected to bring heavy rains and storm surge to Florida, including Manatee County.

The following sandbag locations are open throughout the county:

• 66th Street W. Fleet Building, 4700 66th Street W., Bradenton
• Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton
• Blackstone Park, 2112 14th Ave., Palmetto
• Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th Street E., Palmetto
• Dakin Dairy, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City
• Dam Road, 1505 Dam Road, Bradenton
• Greenbrook Park, 6655 Greenbrook Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
• Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton
• Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City
• North Coquina Boat Ramp, 1507 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach
• Palmetto Youth Center, 501 1th Street W., Palmetto
• Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd Street E., Palmetto
• Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish
• Stormwater Facility, 5511 39th Street E., Bradenton

Additional sites may open in at-risk areas.

Manatee County Animal Welfare is seeking fosters who may be able to care for pets at their homes during the storm. Those interested can email taunia.ireland@mymanatee.org or stop by the Palmetto shelter, which is open noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Manatee County Parks and Preserves will close Wednesday evening. Beaches and pools will close Tuesday night and remain closed until further notice.

G.T. Bray Park will close at noon Wednesday to allow for the staging of emergency responders.

There will be no Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed-route service on Thursday. Trolley and transit service will end at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The Gulf Island Ferry Service is suspended through the weekend.

Manatee County’s contracted waste haulers will work Tuesday and Wednesday to complete their regular collection routes while also addressing debris cleanup.

Trash pickups for Thursday are canceled, with Thursday pickups shifting to Friday and Friday pickups moving to Saturday. The Lena Road Landfill will be closed Thursday.