Tropical storm watch issued for Sarasota, Manatee counties

Residents and local governments are bracing for heavy rain this weekend from a tropical system heading into the Gulf of Mexico.

At 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said the system, now being called Potential Tropical Cyclone Four, is about 360 miles southeast of Key West with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph with higher gusts. The system is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. 

A turn toward the northwest at a slower forward speed is expected tonight or Saturday, followed by a turn toward the north on Sunday. 

On the forecast track, the disturbance is expected to move over Cuba Friday, cross the Straits of Florida on Saturday, and then move near or over the west coast of Florida Saturday night through Sunday night.

It's expected to develop into a tropical depression Saturday as it moves across the Straits of Florida, followed by intensification into Tropical Storm Debby by Saturday night.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the west coast of the Florida peninsula north of Bonita Beach to Aripeka, which includes Sarasota and Manatee counties. 

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

In tropical storm conditions are possible in the Sarasota-Manatee area by Saturday or Saturday night.

The west coast of Florida can expect rainfall with totals between 4-8 inches, forecasters say.

On Friday, Manatee County declared a local state of emergency.

Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center — which has been activated at Level Two (partial activation) since 10 a.m. Friday — will continue to add staff and resources, if necessary, as the storm progresses, a news release said. 

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

Sandbags will be available beginning at noon today at Coquina Beach (near the Bus Loop) at 1507 S. Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, and at Lincoln Park, 501 17th Street East in Palmetto.

There will also be a self-serve location set up just south of the former Manatee County Utilities Headquarters at 4410 66th Street W. in Bradenton. Updated locations are listed at MyManatee.org/sandbags.

A spokeswoman for Sarasota County said Friday morning that officials are continuing to monitor the storm and are encouraging the community “to be proactive in preparing yourself and your family.”

On Aug. 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 54 counties, including Sarasota and Manatee counties.

A Hurricane Hunter aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is scheduled to investigate this system Friday.

Residents can sign up for alerts at MyManatee.org/AlertManatee and AlertSarasotaCounty.com. 

This article has been updates with information from the Friday 2 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.