Hurricane Helene impacts Sarasota Bradenton preparation closures flooding

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| Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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What you need to know about possible Hurricane Helene:

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helene by Wednesday. Sarasota and Manatee counties are just outside the storm's cone of uncertainty.
Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings are in effect for Sarasota and Manatee counties. A flood warning has also been issued for the region, lasting from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a storm surge of 4 to 7 feet for coastal Sarasota County and 5 to 8 feet for coastal Manatee County, along with about 3 to 6 inches of rain, with more rainfall possible in some areas.
In Sarasota County, schools are closed Wednesday through Friday. In Manatee County, schools are closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Manatee and Sarasota have ordered evacuations. View the latest evacuation orders for Sarasota County or Manatee County.

Check out our live updates below for the latest developments on the storm and its impacts on Sarasota and Manatee counties. (Or read yesterday's Live Helene blog to stay up to date.)

Tropical Storm Helene has strengthened overnight, and maximum sustained winds are now reaching 65 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extend 175 miles from the center of the storm.

The storm is expected to rapidly increase in intensity and size throughout the morning, becoming Hurricane Helene as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico later this morning.

Sarasota and Manatee counties will experience the effects of probable Hurricane Helene this evening. Tropical storm force winds and heavy rain are expected throughout the night and into Thursday morning.

According to the National Weather Service's forecast, Sarasota and Manatee counties will receive between 3 and 6 inches of rain, with some areas expecting up to 10 inches. A storm surge of 4 to 7 feet is expected in coastal Sarasota County and 5 to 8 feet in coastal Manatee County, as well as isolated tornadoes.

Assuming Helene stays true to its current path, it is expected to arrive in the Big Bend region of Florida as a major hurricane on Thursday evening.

In preparation for Tropical Storm Helene, Manatee County has issued an evacuation call for residents in Level A flood areas starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Level A evacuation includes all parts of Anna Maria Island and Manatee of Longboat Key, as well as mainland coastal areas. The evacuation also applies to all low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as all mobile and manufactured homes. Residents living in Level B evacuation levels are asked to pay attention to storm surge forecasts and, if advisable, to evacuate voluntarily.

Residents can visit mymanatee.org/storm for information on evacuation levels and emergency shelters. Emergency shelters have not yet opened.

Sarasota County has issued an evacuation order for Level A areas as well as manufactured homes and the Forked Creek areas in Englewood, Curry Creek and Hatchett Creek in Venice.

Evacuation centers in Sarasota County will open at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25.

Community members can determine their evacuation level and find the nearest evacuation center at scgov.net.

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