High surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to be Hurricane Isaias’ main impacts along Sarasota County’s coastover the next few days, while neighboring Manatee County remains under a flood watch through Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Kelly Delerme, a forecaster at the weather service’s Ruskin office, told the Herald-Tribune Thursday morning that rain chances are higher Thursday and Saturday and lower Friday as the storm moves north toward a likely landfall between the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama coast.
“We have a flood watch for Manatee County and that's for today and into this evening,” Delerme said.
Over the past seven days, the weather service has recorded between 4 and 6 inches of rainfall in Sarasota
County, mostly along the coast.
Sarasota County prepares for possible localized flooding
A 10 a.m. Oct. 8 weather service briefing warned of possible localized flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage.
Local government officials are monitoring the storm’s progress, according to county and city spokespeople.
“Our swift water rescue teams and high-water response vehicles are in service and prepared to respond if needed. Leadership is also assessing low-lying areas and locations that may be vulnerable to additional flooding as rainfall continues,” said Samantha Long, a spokeswoman for Sarasota County Emergency Services.
The Manatee River near Myakka Head at State Road 64 was at 7 feet and projected to rise to 9.6 feet, reaching action stage, according to the briefing.
The briefing also reported a Myakka River reading of 5.19 feet, with a forecast rise to 5.9 feet.
Heavy rain prompts street flooding concerns in North Port
In North Port, heavy rain Wednesday night resulted in ponding on roads in some low-lying areas, according to an email from city spokesman Jason Bartolone.
The city received 3.5 to 5 inches of rain in just over 24 hours.
“This type of volume will take time to move through the stormwater system,” Bartolone said.
North Port public works crews have placed high-water warning signs in areas where ponding has occurred. North Port police officers will assist and monitor roads as needed until the water recedes, he added.
Weather concerns cancel Sarasota-area events
Rain and weather concerns surrounding Hurricane Isaias have prompted cancellations of several Sarasota-area events, including Saturday’s Rocktoberfest music festival at J.D. Hamel Park in downtown Sarasota.
The Bay canceled its guided kayak tours for Friday and Saturday, citing the marine forecast and unfavorable weather conditions. Sarasota Opera’s DaCapo Society launch party Thursday night was also canceled and will be rescheduled.
Sandbags available in Manatee County
As of Thursday afternoon, neither Sarasota County nor any of its municipalities had opened storm-related sandbag filling stations.
Manatee County offers a self-serve Blue Sky sandbag program at six locations throughout hurricane season, said county spokesman Casey Zempel.
Since June 1, Manatee County residents have used more than 77 tons of sand to prepare 4,419 sandbags.
The locations are:
- Blackstone Park, 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto.
- Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City.
- Palma Sola Park in Bradenton.
- Parrish Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish.
- Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto.
- Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Bradenton.
Residents must bring their own shovel.
For more information, visit mymanatee.org/storm.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hurricane Isaias brings Sarasota beach dangers, North Port flooding
