Manatee activates EOC for flood monitoring

The Manatee County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to monitor the large amount of rain Manatee County has experienced this morning and early this afternoon.

Local streets have been covered with water at times today, and some residents have experienced flooding in their homes. All residents should be on the watch for potential flooding in their neighborhoods throughout today until the rainy conditions improve. Manatee is not issuing sandbags at this time. Flooding prevention supplies are available at local home improvement and hardware stores.

Motorists should exercise caution before proceeding down roads that appear underwater and respect barricades indicating the road is impassable. Pedestrians should avoid wading into swiftly moving water or into areas of unknown depth.

Local elected officials have been updated on the situation and whatever emergency activities are necessary during this rain event. Currently, there are no shelters open in Manatee.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local media reports on the weather over the next several days. The Manatee County Citizen Information Center has been activated at the Public Safety Center and can be reached by calling 748-4501.