Voluntary evacuations for Zone B in Manatee County

Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Sherilyn Burris announced Saturday morning a voluntary evacuation of anyone living in Level B in the county.

That added to the mandatory evacuations announced on Friday of Level A as well as low-lying areas and manufactured homes.

Residents can easily determine which evacuation level they live in by entering an address at the County’s interactive hurricane evacuation map online at mymanatee.org

Residents also can find an up-to-date list of open shelters on the county's website at mymanatee.org. Twenty one of 24 County shelters are open as of 10 a.m., Saturday morning. 

"Evacuate now, this is the day," Burris said at the press briefing. "These next few hours are when you need to absolutely finalize where you'll be when tropical force winds arrive. Seek shelter now. Emergency responders will not be able to respond to calls when those winds arrive." 

"We want everyone to seek shelter," said Manatee County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino. "If you live in low-lying areas that are notorious for flooding, or if you live in mobile homes and manufactured homes ... if you're living along a coastal area or river, seek higher ground now. Go to a shelter or bunk up with a friend." 

In a release, Dr. Jennifer Bencie, director of the Department of Health, said special needs clients are being delivered to shelters around the county today but no more special needs applications will be accepted today. She also urged residents to be extremely careful whenever using backup generators. 

"Transportation needs to get those clients to shelter before strong winds pick up," Bencie said. "If you don't already have your medications, go to stores that are open now and have those prescriptions filled." 

Besides the county website, residents can get information at 748-4501. County information also can be obtained at facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.