Updated with storm surge information, airport shutdown.
This is your Hurricane Milton update for 8:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7th.
Milton is now a Category 5 hurricane and our area is under a Hurricane Warning, Storm Surge Warning, and Flood Watch. Hurricane conditions are likely late Wednesday.
There is a risk of life-threatening storm surges. Current predictions are for between 10 and 12 feet – which will be catastrophic in Flood Zone A – and that’s likely to rise with the next advisory of the National Hurricane Center.
Sarasota County has ordered immediate evacuations in Levels A and B. Those living in level C should be prepared to evacuate if the storm intensifies. Manatee County has called for evacuation in Levels A and B beginning today at 2 p.m.
The Sarasota County utilities director is advising residents of the barrier islands Siesta and Casey Key that water service will be shut off 10 am on Tuesday.
All residents should have preparations finalized by Tuesday. This includes securing property and restocking disaster kit supplies with enough water, non-perishable food and medicine for a minimum of 7 days for each family member.
Sarasota County Schools and Manatee County Schools are closed today through Wednesday.
New College of Florida and Ringling College of Art and Design are closed all week. New College on-campus students have evacuated. Ringling College students must evacuate by 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will close Tuesday, 4 pm. Contact your airline directly for flight status.
Sandbagging
Self-service sandbags are offered to Sarasota County residents today until 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday at the following locations:
Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street
Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road
South County Fleet Services, 4571 Englewood Road, Venice.
Current wait time at the Ed Smith sandbagging site is four hours.
Residents should bring their own shovels and are limited to 10 bags per vehicle. Bags will be provided.
Photo: Mar Werner Hernandez
Shelters
Manatee County shelters will be opening at 2 p.m. Monday at the following locations:
Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th Street East in Palmetto
Miller Elementary School, 601 43rd Street West, Bradenton
Myakka Elementary School, 37205 Manatee Avenue, Myakka City
Transport from the islands to Manatee County shelters will start at 2 p.m. today and occur on the hour until nightfall. Pickup location is CVS, located at 611 Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach.
Photo: Ariel Aparicio-Jerro
Evacuation centers in Sarasota will open Tuesday at 10 am. Pets are welcome in all of them.
They are, from South to North:
Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port
Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port;
Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port;
North Port High School, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port;
Taylor Ranch Elementary School, 2500 Ranch Trail, Venice;
Gulf Gate Elementary School, 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota;
Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota;
Phillippi Shores Elementary School, 4747 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota;
Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber St., Sarasota;
Brookside Middle School, 3636 S. Shade Ave., Sarasota;
Fruitville Elementary School, 601 Honore Ave., Sarasota;
Booker High School, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.
General advice
In preparation for the hurricane, remember the following: