Manatee County declares state of emergency ahead of tropical storm

Manatee County is under a state of emergency due to potentially severe weather from Invest 97L, which could develop into a tropical storm named Debby over the next few days. 

Manatee County followed suit after Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Aug. 1 that declared Manatee County as one of 54 counties in Florida to be under a state of emergency.

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting “flooding across Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas through the weekend.”  

Commissioners declared a local state of emergency during an emergency commission meeting on Aug. 2. The Emergency Operations Center was partially activated at 10 a.m., following the emergency meeting.

"It’s important for the public to monitor the storm and prepare for the possible flooding effects,” said Commission Chair Mike Rahn in a press release.

A second press release reminded residents that Hurricane Ian, in 2022, caused flooding in the Myakka City area that contaminated a significant amount of wells. Residents using well water should take additional precautions, such as filling up the pressure tank as much as possible and turning off the electricity to the well. 

A self-serve sandbag location is being set up for East County residents at the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Road. 

For storm updates, visit MyManatee.org/storm.