Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations

Manatee County emergency managers have called for evacuations from all Level A and B homes in advance of Hurricane Milton, which is predicted to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

Those evacuation orders, issued Sunday, include all those in RVs or mobile homes.

The county asks that evacuations begin by Monday at 2 p.m. Those who need to learn their evacuation level can go to mymanatee.org/storm.

 “We do not issue evacuation orders lightly,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske at a Sunday press conference. “Milton is anticipated to cause more storm surge than Helene. Let me say that again, more storm surge than Helene. So, if you stayed during Helene, and got lucky, I would not press my luck with this particular system.”

 Emergency shelters at Mills Elementary, 72,00 69th St. E., Palmetto; Miller Elementary, 601 43rd St. W., Bradenton; and Myakka Elementary, 37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City, will open Monday afternoon. Those with special needs can register at MyManatee.org/needs.

According to a Manatee County release, extra collection vehicles are being dispatched to speed Helene clean-up. The crews will work as long as conditions allow them to safely remove and dispose of this debris.

The county asks that residents do not put any additional debris on the roadside as it could clog drains or become projectiles.

“Please, please, please take this storm seriously,” said Emergency Management Chief Matt Myers. “Now is the time to prepare.”

Manatee County has updated the storm information page to include water level monitors for Lake Manatee, local streams, and rivers. You can track those levels at MyManatee.org/storm.