Tropical Storm breezes through East County

EAST COUNTY — Gray skies, rainstorms and gusts of wind paid homage to the development of Tropical Storm Isaac Aug. 26 and Aug. 27, off Florida’s west coast, but the storm’s wake steered clear of the East County community.

Manatee County officials declared a state of emergency Saturday, Aug. 25, and issued a voluntary evacuation as they braced for the impacts of Tropical Storm Isaac. However, Manatee County escaped flooding and other potential issues associated with the storm, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) closed at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27.

“Because of the width of the storm, even though it was going more west, we were still trapped in those tropical storm warnings,” Manatee County’s Emergency Management Chief Laurie Feagans said. “We had potential for those feeder bands to clobber us. We were very lucky.

“We thought it would be like a Tropical Storm Debby event, but, thankfully, it wasn’t,” she said. “We don’t have any reports of home or business damage, at this time and no flooding of the roads.”

Manatee County Public Works also offered free bags of sand to the public Aug. 26 and Aug. 27, at various locations through the county, including at Lakewood Ranch Park, to assist with flood control.

“I’m doing it as a (precaution),” said Christian Retreat resident Lisa Karr as she got assistance filling sandbags for her home. “Because of Debby, the yard can’t take much (more water).”

Additionally, Manatee and Sarasota County schools were closed Monday, Aug. 27, to accommodate the opening of local shelters. In Manatee County, Manatee and Braden River high schools and Nolan Middle School opened to the public Sunday, Aug. 26. Braden River closed as a shelter later that day, because no members of the public sought shelter there. Nolan Middle School hosted 11 individuals at its height, and Manatee High hosted eight, Feagans said.

Feagans said Manatee County’s agencies will review their responses to the storm to determine what, if any, processes can be improved. That data, which also will be submitted to the state, is still being compiled, she said.

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Operations Director Ryan Heise said his staff used the weekend to clean carp barriers and major outfall structures and check supplies, among other tasks.

“We were pretty much on target with preparations and the execution of our plans,” he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].