UPDATE: Tropical Storm Colin floods Longboat Key streets

While Gov. Rick Scott announced a state of emergency in Sarasota and Manatee counties before noon, the streets of Longboat Key flooded as Tropical Storm Colin tracked through the Gulf of Mexico today.

The Longboat Key Fire Department has transported two residents stranded at their home on Norton Street, two college students kayaked down Lyons Lane and at least a dozen other island roads were submerged ahead of the system’s expected landfall this evening.

The National Weather Service had warned of a storm surge reaching four feet, which combined with a 12:44 p.m. high tide on Longboat, contributed to the flooding in Longbeach Village.

Despite the weather, trucks hauling sand during the latest renourishment project continue to rumble onto the island. Instead of spreading the sand onto the shoreline, the contractor is piling up the fresh sand until the inclement weather subsides later this week, according to Public Works Director Juan Florensa.

“They’re just stacking it up really high,” he said.

Earlier: As Tropical Storm Colin bears down on the Gulf Coast of Florida today, high tides and at least two feet of storm surge will likely bring flooding to areas on Longboat Key, according to advisories from the National Weather Service and town staff.

The NWS expects the tropical system to make landfall north of Tampa Bay some time this evening, but the storm surge, rainfall and a high tide slated for 12:44 p.m. may exacerbate storm conditions.

Town staff are distributing sand, bags and shovels at the Broadway Street beach access at the north end of the island, according to a news release. Public works staff spent the weekend cleaning out storm drains in anticipation of Tropical Storm Colin.

“So far there are no issues,” said Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming before 8:30 a.m. “But I put a couple of extra officers on the street, and we will be monitoring it closely all day.”

Longboat residents can register for updates from the CodeRED Weather by clicking here.

Longbeach Village residents should be wary of flooding, particularly along Broadway, as those areas have a history of flooding during storms.

“With the high tide this afternoon, we will be watching that closely,” Cumming said.