Evacuation ordered for Longboat Key ahead of Hurricane Helene

Longboat Key announced at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25 that an evacuation order was in effect as Hurricane Helene approached Florida as a Category 1 hurricane.

According to the latest Alert Longboat Key update, town officials asked that residents leave the island safely and quickly due to the expected severity of storm surge and the possibility of the town's water being shut off. Longboat Key will see the effects of Hurricane Helene as early as Wednesday night. 

Manatee County, which supplies water to the entire island, typically decides to shut the water off at a storm surge threshold of 6 ft. A briefing from Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips, water to the island may be shut off as early as 6 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Wastewater services will also be suspended with the water being shut off, so any waste will not have a treatment destination. This is another reason why the town strongly recommends that all residents and visitors follow evacuation orders, Phillips said in the brief. 

After the water is restored to the island, a precautionary boil water notice will be issued. 

Town staff worked throughout the day on Wednesday to ensure all necessary preparations were completed, according to Tipton. All town hall offices will be closed on Thursday.

The sandbag operation was still open on Wednesday for self-serve. Residents who need to pick up bags to fill can do so at the Public Works building at 600 General Harris St.

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Two Harry's Continental Kitchens employees, Daniel Balacio and Al Cuevas, were filling sandbags early Wednesday afternoon to help prepare the business for Helene's arrival. 

Cuevas said it seems like every year there is at least one storm when they need to prepare in this manner. Back at the restaurant, preparations like sandbags, moving outside furniture and boarding up things as needed were taking place, according to the pair. 

At 2 p.m., Helene had sustained winds of 80 mph about 460 miles south-southwest of Tampa, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Storm surge continues to be the largest threat for Longboat Key and the barrier islands, which could be up to 9 feet. About 3 to 6 inches of rain are to be expected for Longboat Key, according to Phillips' brief at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Image via National Hurricane Center / NOAA

Residents should continue to monitor the storm, secure loose items around properties and stay updated with information from the town. 

To sign up to receive alerts through Alert Longboat Key, visit the town's website at LongboatKey.org and click the "Alert Longboat Key" tab at the top of the page.