Longboat Key issues Isaac status update

Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock issued the following report to the Longboat Key Town Commission at noon today regarding Tropical Storm Isaac:

“The projected track of Tropical Storm Isaac has shifted further to the west than in previous forecasts. It is still anticipated to emerge off the coast of Cuba on Sunday as a tropical storm, but is expected to gain hurricane status as it gets out over open water in the Gulf of Mexico. The latest advisory anticipates the storm passing approximately 100 to 150 miles to the West of Longboat Key sometime Monday, although the storm’s intensity, forward speed, and track remain uncertain at this time.

Depending on storm track and intensity Longboat Key could see flooding in low-lying areas, increased rainfall, and tropical storm force winds. Beach erosion, similar to that experienced during Tropical Storm Debby, as well as development of dangerous rip currents are possible. Beachgoers should exercise extreme caution when entering the Gulf.

Flooding, resulting from increased rainfall and higher than normal tides, is expected. Depending on storm surge, roadways in low lying areas (for example the Village) may be covered with salt water. Rain bands are expected to arrive overnight Sunday or early Monday morning. Several inches of rain are possible over the next 5 days.

Onset of tropical storm force winds may occur Monday morning continuing through early afternoon. Isolated tornadoes are possible. Localized power outages are possible as with any severe weather event. Report, or check the status of power outages, at www.fpl.com.

Beginning Friday morning, sand, bags, and shovels are available to the general public for use to protect homes and property from potential flooding. Residents will have to fill the bags themselves with no limit to the number of sand bags available for each person. The materials are located at the Broadway public beach access on the North end of the island near the 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Please be aware that this forecast track may change as it is still a few days before Isaac might impact this area. Residents are advised to monitor this storm and take appropriate protective measures. Some of our residents and visitors may not have experienced tropical storm or hurricane conditions so we ask that you pay particularly close attention to this developing weather system.

Longboat Key emergency managements staff continues coordination with Sarasota and Manatee County Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. Conference calls will be taking place with the National Hurricane Center, as well as the State of Florida Department of Emergency Management. Updated information will be provided following those briefings.

All residents and businesses are encouraged to ensure their disaster plan is in place, have a pre-determined evacuation location, and to have adequate disaster supplies on hand. Please don’t forget to include your pets in your disaster planning. Please note that no decisions regarding evacuations have been made by Sarasota and Manatee County Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) at this time. If evacuations were to become necessary those decisions would be made over the weekend. Please stay tuned to your local news and weather for announcements regarding local threats, evacuations or shelter information.

Updates regarding the storm and anticipated impacts, preparedness measures and any evacuation decisions will be posted to the Town’s website. The Town’s website, www.longboatkey.org also contains links to the National Hurricane Center, the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Manatee County EOC. There are also links regarding disaster planning, how to strengthen you home against hurricane damage, and convenient checklists to help prepare emergency supply kits."  

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].