Tropical Storm Elsa information: Manatee County

Elsa kicks up waves along Holmes Beach

Jordan Bowen reports

Ongoing updates from Manatee County as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches Florida.

SANDBAGS:

County:

Manatee County has closed sandbag locations as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Bradenton:

Sandbag distribution is closed for this location.

EVACUATIONS:

No evacuations ordered.

CLOSINGS:

All Manatee County offices and park facilities are closed to the public, but county operations will not be suspended.

All MCAT Fixed-route Bus and Trolley service will be suspended at noon on Tuesday and will resume service at noon on Wednesday, July 7. MCAT Handy Bus service on Tuesday will be restricted to riders traveling to and from medical appointments only.

The Lena Road Landfill will reopen Wednesday regular hours or as soon as weather permits.

There will be no garbage or recycling collected on Tuesday in unincorporated Manatee County. All cans, carts, and outside lawn and patio furnishings should be secured so they don’t become dangerous projectiles in high winds.

There will be no recycling collected this week. Yard waste and garbage will be collected Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as usual. All collections will return to normal on Monday, July 12.

SHELTERS:

An emergency shelter is open at Manatee High School for those who live in mobile homes, low lying areas or areas prone to flooding. This is a non-mandatory evacuation, and the shelter is pet-friendly.

Residents on the Special Needs Registry are currently being contacted to set up arrangements for evacuation to the County’s special needs shelter, which is designated for those who are oxygen or electricity dependent to survive.

Manatee County shelters will conduct temperature checks and screen visitors by asking if they’re displaying any symptoms of COVID-19. Shelters will have increased spacing as demand allows for social distancing, masks are encouraged and will be provided and if people feel ill they will be separated into other rooms.

SCHOOLS:

School is out for the summer. There are no changes to summer school schedules yet.

MORE INFORMATION:

You can get information directly from the Manatee County EOC. Residents can also text ManateeReady to 888-777 for the latest messages from the county regarding any storm.