Longboat Key expects damage, flooding

Despite a mandatory evacuation order issued on Friday for barrier islands, some Longboat Key residents are staying put.

Longboat Key Fire and Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi said the department did a sweep of the island Sunday morning to talk to some residents who were still present.

“We’ve talked to many of them, and they just feel they can ride out the storm, which is not something we recommend to them, and they are aware that once winds reach 45 mph, we can’t reach them,” Dezzi said.

People were ordered to evacuate by 8 p.m. on Saturday, but Dezzi advises people to leave before noon Sunday, which is when the fire department will be leaving.

To ensure no one returns to the island, Longboat Key police officers are posted at both ends of the Key. Police Chief Pete Cumming said officers will be monitoring both ends until there are sustained winds of 45 mph.

As of 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, Manatee County government officials shut off water to the barrier islands, including Longboat Key, the  town's website said.  At this time, it is unknown when potable water will return. 

The Longboat Key Public Works Department, police and fire departments are preparing for the aftermath. The departments will be getting bulldozers from Sarasota Memorial Hospital to clear debris. Dezzi said they are expecting there to be damage to structures, flooding and roads to be blocked.

“We’re expecting the worst, of course,” Dezzi said. “We’re expecting heavy flooding with probably a storm surge of 8 to 10 feet, and so the reason we came back this morning was to raise some things off the floor.”

The fire rescue and public works and police departments will be conducting search and rescue following the storm to help anyone who may need assistance on the Key.