Tropical storm prompts Sarasota school district to cancel classes Monday

Schools and school district offices will be closed on Monday, Sarasota County Schools announced Sunday night.

According to a statement from a school district spokeswoman, the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Team determined the path of Tropical Storm Eta could bring significant rain and sustained winds of 40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, to the area.

Sarasota County had been under a tropical storm warning in anticipation of a strengthening storm moving into the Gulf of Mexico. But by mid-morning, all watches and warnings along the Florida peninsula had been dropped, though a tropical storm warning remained for the southernmost keys. Eta was no longer predicted to become a hurricane.

The Florida Highway Patrol closed the Sunshine Skyway bridge at 5 a.m. Monday because of high winds. 

Manatee County schools posted a notice on its website on Sunday evening stating classes would be open and operating normally. 

Monday morning, the storm was located about 80 west northwest of Key West with sustained winds of about 65 mph.  

Eta could intensify into a hurricane by Monday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.