Longboat Key residents advised to stay vigilant under flood watch

Longboat Key officials are asking residents to remain vigilant as a low-pressure system passes through the area. 

According to the town, many Longboat Key areas have ground saturated with water, which may worsen later this afternoon and through the week. 

Flood watches remain in effect for Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Hardee counties until 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. 

The National Weather Service also stated that heavy rain is expected to persist throughout the week, and three-day rainfall totals could be up to 10 inches in some areas. 

Longboat Key’s alert system advised residents to monitor local weather, avoid floodwater, watch for road closures and stay in contact with neighbors and family. The alert also said that about 4-6 more inches are still expected, with high tide around 4:46 p.m. and an already-saturated ground on the island. 

In some areas of Sarasota, the Sarasota County Automated Rainfall Monitoring System recorded rainfall as high as 8.58 inches. Those numbers may rise throughout the week as the Invest 90L storm system sweeps through the Gulf Coast.