MANATEE COUNTY, FL (October 8, 2024) – Manatee County Utilities crews are shutting off the water service to the barrier island communities.
With a significant storm surge expected along coastal parts of the county, the Manatee County Utilities Department scheduled the shut-off of potable water service and sanitary sewer service to the island cities of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and the Town of Longboat Key. This necessary interruption of service – in coordination with Island cities -- is happening today to best ensure the utility infrastructure remains intact and to save the sewer lift stations.
During Helene, the water was substantially shut off, with a 20% flow maintained. That is not the case in this instance as the water will be completely shut off. There will not be residual pressure or flow that some may have experienced during Hurricane Helene.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) is continuing shuttle service from the CVS (611 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach) and at 101 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach to local shelters through 8 p.m. You should be to a shelter or ready to shelter in place by nightfall.
The following locations are open now for evacuees:
- Virgil Mills Elementary School (7200 69th St. E., Palmetto)
- Jessie P. Miller Elementary School (601 43rd St. W., Bradenton)
- Myakka Elementary School (37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City)
- W D Sugg Middle School (5602 38th Ave. W., Bradenton)
- Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School (8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish)
- B D Gullett Elementary School (12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)
- Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School (6325 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch)
- Dr. Mona Jain Middle School (12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton)
A special needs shelter is also open for those who have pre-registered.
At 8 p.m., Manatee County Public Works staff will barricade and close the following bridges.
- Jim Davis Rd at Gamble Creek
- Golf Course Road at Gamble Creek
- Verna Bethany at the Manatee River
These preemptive closures are a safety measure to protect infrastructure that recently experienced minor flooding damage during Hurricane Debby. Motorists should expect these closures to be in place until Hurricane Milton passes, and the inspection staff has had a chance to evaluate potential damage.
For info on road closures before, during, and after Hurricane Milton, visit mymanatee.org/storm.
Utilities staff continues to watch the lake level at the Manatee Dam. At 10 a.m. the level was at 36.9’ with inflow and outflow continuously monitored and available on the dashboard at mymanatee.org/storm.
Continue to monitor local news and weather broadcasts as well as the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County at is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.