Live updates: Hurricane Ian track shifts farther south; dangerous conditions remain for Suncoast
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Quick Sarasota-Manatee Hurricane Ian links:
- Storm Coverage:Find all of our latest coverage of Hurricane Ian
- Shelters: Find your Sarasota and Manatee county evacuation zone and hurricane shelters here.
- Closures & Cancelations: Sarasota-Bradenton closures and cancelations due to Hurricane Ian
- Sandbags: Where to get sandbags in Sarasota, Manatee counties
- Know the danger: Hurricane Ian threatens to bring 5-8 feet of storm surge. Here's what to know
11 p.m. | Advisory indicates up to 12 feet of storm surge
The latest forecasts show Hurricane Ian continues to approach the Suncoast as an extremely dangerous major hurricane.
Continuing a trend over the last day, the track of the hurricane's center continued to move further east and south, with the 11 p.m. advisory mapping a landfall in the Port Charlotte area, south of Venice, which had been the forecast point of impact earlier.
Ian is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph, expected to pass west of the Florida Keys within the next few hours, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, according to the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
With maximum sustained winds near 120 mph, Ian is a category 3 hurricane but is expected to strengthen into a dangerous category 4 before it makes landfall.
Water could reach 8 to 12 feet from the middle of Longboat Key to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor, according to the National Hurricane Center.
At an 11 p.m. briefing in Tallahassee, officials said that while severe winds will rock coastal communities from Sarasota to Fort Myers, the storm was certain to bring damage not just to the coast, but also to Central Florida inland counties as Ian carves a path across the state, likely downgrading in strength to a tropical storm.
It is expected to exit the state Friday near Volusia County on the Atlantic coast.
“This is a lot of nasty weather that we’re in store for over the next few days,” DeSantis said.
9:03 p.m. | Sarasota officials urge those in RVs and mobile homes to evacuate
Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane urged Sarasota County mobile home residents and those who live in RVs to evacuate in a Tuesday evening press briefing.
“If you have a family, don’t risk yourself and your family’s life by staying in a trailer, in a mobile home, in a camper, and trying to ride this out and hope it goes somewhere else,” he said.
He noted that people should either stay with someone they know or should go to an evacuation center. He said those without a computer or internet access can find evacuation center locations by calling 311.
He estimated that people have until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. to evacuate.
“But once those winds get to 45 miles per hour sustained, you don’t want to go anywhere,” he said. “We don’t send emergency vehicles out when it gets to 45.”
McCrane told media outlets that 1,765 people were in the county’s 12 evacuation centers, though that number keeps changing. Those centers can each hold a couple of thousand people.
“There should be a lot more people at this time in these evacuation centers,” he said.
8:05 p.m. | Hurricane Ian remains a dangerous threat to region
Hurricane conditions are expected along the west coast of Florida by Wednesday morning, with tropical storm conditions possible tonight.
Tropical storm conditions already are occurring in the Florida Keys and will continue overnight, producing heavy rainfall and other dangerous conditions, according to the 8 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Widespread catastrophic flash, urban, and river flooding is expected across central and west Florida beginning midweek.
Tornadoes also are possible through Wednesday across central and south Florida, with swells generated by Ian likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
7:55 p.m. | Photos: residents prepare as Ian looms
Photos of residents and business owners in Sarasota and Manatee County preparing for the storm:
6:45 p.m. | One really large Bradenton family weathers the storm at a shelter
A Bradenton family of 14 checked into the hurricane shelter at Brookside Middle School in Sarasota on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Ian.
The Ramirez family arrived at Brookside in multiple vehicles to meet the family's grandparents who have roots in Colombia. Maria Ramirez, 31, gathered with her siblings and children just inside the cafeteria.
"We wanted to stick together," she said.
Ramirez arrived with her sister, brother-in-law, mother, and two young boys, Joquin and Alejandro, who all traveled late Tuesday afternoon from Bradenton. The family arrived with a cart of hurricane essentials — blankets, water, snacks, games for kids, and some electronics.
Ramirez's youngest son Alejandro, who attends Robert Prine Elementary in South Bradenton, expressed concern for the family's two dogs who were placed in a kennel.
"We were worried about our pets, we left them in a better place so they could be safe," he said.
The family plans to stay together at Brookside through their first hurricane until it's safe to return to their home in Manatee County, Ramirez said.
5:11 p.m. | City shuts down bridges
Sarasota Police announced that all westbound lanes on Siesta Bridge and the John Ringling Causeway Bridge will be closed to everyone except for barrier island residents attempting to access their homes.
Both bridges will be closed to all vehicles at 8 p.m.
5:00 p.m. | Hurricane Ian is on track to strike Sarasota County, with 'widespread, catastrophic' flooding
With little deviation from its path this afternoon, Hurricane Ian is on track to strike Sarasota County as a major hurricane on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of 8-12 feet from north Sarasota County down to Bonita Beach in Collier County. Manatee County can expect a storm surge of 4-6 feet.
Just as concerning, especially since Ian is expected to slow even further before landfall, is the 12 to 18 inches of rain forecast for the area, with isolated totals up to 24 inches.
Both of those mean severe flooding is likely.
"Widespread catastrophic flash, urban, and river flooding is expected," according to the NHC.
4:35 p.m. | City of Venice to shut off water to the island of Venice at 8 p.m. tonight
As of Tuesday afternoon, Sarasota County has issued evacuations for residents living in zones A and B.
For Venice, that means much of the island of Venice, particularly along Venice Beach and the northern coast east of Venice Inlet.
Venice Assistant City Manager James Clinch said the city is coordinating with Sarasota County on evacuations, getting medically dependent people evacuated and publicizing the evacuation rally point at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., though not as many people have been showing up as anticipated.
Buses from there are taking people to Taylor Ranch Elementary School.
Even residences on higher ground on the island could be uncomfortable places to ride out Ian, Clinch said, since the city plans to turn off water service for the island at 8 p.m. Tuesday, until the storm passes.
In fact, water will be shut off to all barrier islands in Sarasota and Manatee counties this evening, including Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and more.
“It’s really important to get that infrastructure protected by isolating it,” Clinch said. “It’s not intended to get people to leave; what it’s intended for is to protect the system so the rest of the community can keep using the water system.”
3:30 p.m. | Manatee County will shut off water and sewage to barrier islands at sundown Tuesday
At an afternoon press conference, Manatee County officials re-confirmed that mandatory evacuations are required for residents in Levels A and B. Residents living in evacuation Level C are encouraged to find shelter further inland.
Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said they are evacuating tens of thousands of residents from the barrier islands.
The county will shut off the water and sewage lift stations to the barrier islands at sunset on Tuesday to help protect the infrastructure from the "hurricane's wrath".
Read More:Manatee County evacuating thousands ahead of Hurricane Ian
More than 229,000 sandbags have been distributed to date at sites over the county, and supplies have been exhausted. They are out of bags.
"This storm – even though it's doing what hurricanes do and it has a little jiggle here and a little jiggle there, it is still a major hurricane," Hopes said.
Hopes asked those in evacuation areas to be in a safe place by sundown since roads will be shut down when the wind gets too high to navigate safely. When the storm comes into the area, the shelters and Emergency Operations Command will be locked down.
3:10 p.m. | Sarasota's All Faiths Food Bank activates disaster response for those in need ahead of Hurricane Ian
Pallets of snacks, water, and non-perishables were loaded onto an All Faiths Food Bank delivery truck early Tuesday morning bound for 14 school shelters in Sarasota County ahead of Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane on path to make landfall in Southwest Florida.
Read more:All Faiths Food Bank activates disaster response for those in need ahead of Hurricane Ian
As the storm's strength intensified over the weekend, All Faiths, the region's largest food bank which serves both Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, began activating disaster relief response teams and centers in the hopes of assisting community members with the greatest need.
Updates on when food will be available and when deliveries will begin again following the hurricane can be found and will be updated on the website at allfaithsfoodbank.org.
2:45 p.m. | United Way Suncoast has three ways to help residents impacted by Hurricane Ian
DONATE
The United Way Suncoast has created an emergency relief fund to help area nonprofits deliver aid to community members impacted by Hurricane Ian.
The fund, already receiving donations, will support mid- and long-term recovery efforts as communities seek to rebuild in the wake of the storm.
Donate by texting DISASTER to 844-701-5181 or by visiting unitedwaysuncoast.org.
Nonprofits seeking funds can also register and complete an application at unitedwaysuncoast.org.
Funds will be distributed based on need and availability.
VOLUNTEER
If area nonprofits want volunteer support after the storm’s impact, they can also post volunteer needs through the same site or by contacting projects@uwsuncoast.org.
After the storm, community members interested in volunteering can sign up by visiting volunteersuncoast.org.
GIVE
Those wishing to donate in-kind items such as food, water and household goods should contact Feeding Tampa Bay, All Faiths Food Bank, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee County, or other local food banks.
NEED HELP?
Residents caught in dangerous conditions, power outages or diminished food supplies should call 2-1-1.
2:30 p.m. | Some 600 FPL trucks have come through Sarasota to prepare for Hurricane Ian
Late Tuesday morning, white and green utility trucks could be seen off Fruitville Road outside Robarts Arena lined up, many waiting for marching orders to head out to locations across Florida to prepare for Hurricane Ian. The trucks, on an ever-changing rotation, had been lined up for a couple days ahead of the storm.
Florida Power and Light spokesperson Jack Eble said the company is making final plans to prepare for the storm, which has proven to be powerful and unpredictable. However, Eble said there are nearly 16,000 crew members stationed across Florida and some 600 trucks have come through the Robarts Arena staging point before being directed to strategic points statewide.
Catastrophic forecast for Ian:Ian on catastrophic collision course with Southwest Florida: A rain, surge, wind breakdown | WeatherTiger
After the storm, crews will aim to restore power to the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time. He said crews will focus first on restoring power to critical infrastructures like hospitals and 911 call centers before moving on to community resources like grocery stores but will also be working, in the meantime, to restore power to others in the area.
2:00 p.m. | Hurricane Ian continues on path to Sarasota County
Hurricane Ian was 265 miles southwest of Sarasota, as of the 1 p.m. briefing from the National Weather Service in Ruskin. The Category 3 storm has 120 mph maximum winds and is moving north at 10 mph.
The forecast could see the storm make landfall in Venice in Sarasota County at 8 p.m Wednesday, as a Cat 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds and moving north-by-northeast at 7 mph.
The National Hurricane Center 2 p.m. update predicts a storm surge of 8-12 feet from north Sarasota County down to Bonita Beach in Collier County. Manatee County can expect a storm surge of 4-7 feet.
Rain is expected to be 12-16 inches across the area and could reach two feet in areas.
"Widespread considerable flash and urban flooding are expected mid-to-late week across central and northern Florida," said the NHC.
More on evacuations:Evacuation orders have been issued for Florida counties as Hurricane Ian nears. See the list.
Tropical storm winds will most likely arrive by 10 p.m. Tuesday in Charlotte County, by 1 a.m. Wednesday in Sarasota County, and by 4 a.m. Wednesday in Manatee County.
1:50 p.m. | Two Morton’s markets on Siesta Key and Sarasota closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday
Todd Morton manned the 8,000-square-foot Morton’s Siesta Market at about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Part of the store has been boarded up and he plans to close both the Siesta Key location and the Morton's Gourmet Market in Southside Village in Sarasota about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
He is worried about losing power at the Sarasota location and concerned about the potential for storm surge on Siesta Key.
If that happens there’s no telling how long that location could be down.
During Hurricane Irma in 2017, Morton said the company lost power at all its locations and lost “a couple hundred thousand dollars” due to spoiled food.
This time he's better prepared and will have a refrigerated trailer with a generator.
While he’s worried, Morton told jokes and had a smile on his face.
“I’m an optimist,” he said. “This too shall pass.”
1:00 p.m. | Publix stores in Sarasota-Manatee will close tonight through Thursday due to Hurricane Ian
According to the Publix storm status page, all Publix stores on the west coast of Florida south of Homosassa Springs, will be closing at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will stay closed until 7 a.m. Friday, due to the threat of Hurricane Ian. This includes all stores in Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Charlotte, Collier Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, as well as areas up the I-4 corridor.
12:45 p.m. | Sarasota County expands mandatory evacuations ahead of Hurricane Ian
Sarasota County has expanded its mandatory evacuation to include both Level A and B, Sarasota County’s emergency management chief announced during a midday press conference. Level A was announced on Monday.
Shelters: Find your Sarasota and Manatee county evacuation zone and hurricane shelters here.
Unlike Manatee County, Sarasota County doesn’t have voluntary evacuations – it only has mandatory ones. The county’s shelters opened at noon Tuesday.
12:15 p.m. | More stories from Sarasota-Manatee Hurricane Ian shelters
At the special needs shelter in Nolan Middle School in Manatee County, over 100 Department of Health staffers are ready to care for evacuees who need additional medical assistance.
Chris Tittel, DOH spokesperson, said the facility can handle up to 650 special needs clients for up to six days without resupply. He said it’s his tenth time working at a special needs shelter, and the most people he’s seen is about 250.
Jerry Pirkl, 84, went to another shelter before being redirected to the special needs shelter because he’s on oxygen. In high spirits, he evacuated for the first time ever in his 40 years in Florida because he lives in a trailer.
“I wouldn’t be too upset if it’s not there,” he said.
Pirkl said he’s worried people are going to die because of this storm.
“There’s gonna be people dying because they think they’re smarter than the weatherman,” he said.
A stage hand at the Van Wezel, Pirkl said he knew he was evacuating about three or four days ago.
Nicholas Goodpaster, 37, took refuge at Southside Elementary. He’s homeless and it’s the first time he hs sought a storm shelter from a hurricane. He said the facility seems very safe, and he’s feeling calm ahead of the storm.
11:00 a.m. | Hurricane Ian's track shifts to Sarasota County, severe storm surge and rainfall expected
The 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center indicates that forecast conditions are worsening for Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The NHC predicts that Sarasota County can expect a storm surge of 8-12 feet, while Manatee County is still at 5-8 feet. Expected rainfall for the area is now 12 to 16 inches, with isolated totals up to 24 inches.
"Tornadoes are possible today through Wednesday across the Florida Keys and the southern and central Florida Peninsula," said the NHC forecast.
10:40 a.m. | Venice expected landfall site for Hurricane Ian, according to Florida state officials
The Sarasota County city of Venice is expected to be landfall for Hurricane Ian, coming ashore Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm packing winds up to 125 m.p.h., Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said Tuesday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also said flooding from Hurricane Ian was likely across much of west Florida. He also raised the possibility that after landfall, a weakening Ian would continue to march across Central Florida before exiting somewhere along the state’s Atlantic Coast.
Hurricane Ian:Venice now looks like Florida landfall for shifting Hurricane Ian
“By and large, we’re looking at really, really major storm surge up and down the west coast of Florida,” DeSantis said.
10:30 a.m. | Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to close Tuesday before Hurricane Ian
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will close Tuesday at 8 p.m. ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival.
Rick Piccolo, the airport's president and CEO, said the last commercial flight will be at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, but his team wants to make sure that no “last minute” private aviation flights arrive at SRQ.
“Because the winds will start picking up, and we’ll be sending all our people home except the essential employees,” he said, “and we don’t want aircraft then landing here because we don’t want accidents or anything like that.”
Tampa International Airport announced earlier that it will suspe operations at 5 p.m. today, due to Hurricane Ian.
10:00 a.m. | Stories of Sarasota-Manatee residents evacuating for Hurricane Ian to shelters
Nancy Knowles from Bradenton brought her dog Molly with her to the Braden River High shelter. She moved to the area from New Jersey, and it’s her first hurricane in the area. She evacuated from an RV park designated Zone A.
“I’m not nervous,” she said.
Sheriff's Office personnel say there have only been about 10 or so people since it opened at 8 a.m. The shelter holds about 3,300 people, according to officials.
Shelters: Find your Sarasota and Manatee county evacuation zone and hurricane shelters here.
Katie Dalton, 62, filled out her paperwork for the shelter in the schools’s front office. It’s not her first time evacuating to Braden River High, she lives in the RV park right down the road. She’s with her jack russell/yorkie Ana, her mother and husband.
Dalton said she tried to get a hotel for four days, with no luck. “The only ones they had were on the water,” she said.
Manatee High, home of the hurricanes (yikes) is a shelter much closer to the water. It’s also pet friendly.
A bus from the Salvation Army brought several people to the Manatee High shelter just after 9 a.m. Troy Perry, 41 from Bradenton, came with the bus. It’s his first time using a storm shelter, but he’s not nervous, he said.
“I’m calm,” Perry said. “We’ll make do, hopefully.”
Hannah D., a lifelong Bradenton resident, usually rides out the storms. This time, however, the evacuation order prompted her to bring her two kids to the Manatee High shelter.
She’s not worried, just happy to be safe.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life, she said. “It is what it is.”
9:00 a.m. | Manatee County adds more mandatory and voluntary evacuations
Manatee County has extended its evacuation orders this morning. There are now mandatory evacuations in Levels A and B, with recommended evacuation in Level C. Learn your level here.
Manatee County shelters opened at 8 a.m. today. Here is a list of shelters.
8:00 a.m. | When will Hurricane Ian impact Sarasota-Manatee? Here's a projected timeline
When will Hurricane Ian impact Sarasota-Manatee? Here's a projected timeline, based on NWS and NHC forecasts:
- 2 a.m. Wednesday – Hurricane Ian at Category 4, with winds of 130 mph, due west of Everglades National Park
- 2 a.m. Wednesday – Tropical-storm-force winds in Sarasota County
- 8 a.m. Wednesday – Tropical-storm-force winds in Manatee County
- 2 p.m. Wednesday – Hurricane Ian at Category 3, with winds of 125 mph, due west of Fort Myers
- 5 a.m. Thursday – Possible landfall in north Manatee County or the Tampa Bay area
The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Ruskin calls for a major hurricane landfall in West Central Florida likely on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, with two feet of rain and possible extreme flooding.
By 2 a.m. Wednesday, Ian is projected to be a Cat 4 hurricane west of Everglades National Park, with 130 mph winds, moving north at 10 mph. By 2 p.m. Wednesday, it is projected to be west of Fort Myers as a Cat 3 storm, with 125 mph winds, moving north at 8 mph.
The forecast could see the storm make landfall in north Manatee County or south Hillsborough County between late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Other potential tracks could see the storm make landfall in Pinellas County or farther north along the Nature Coast, according to the NWS.
Potential rainfall of up to 24 inches in West Central Florida from Wednesday through Friday would lead to flash flooding and extended periods of river flooding.
A significant tornado event is expected as Ian interacts with a cold front in North Central Florida.
7:30 a.m. | Evacuations, shelters, sandbags and other things to know Tuesday in Sarasota-Manatee
Hurricane Ian evacuations in Sarasota County
Sarasota County is calling for the evacuation of Level A. This includes vessels, RVs, mobile and manufactured homes. Learn your level here.
Sarasota County shelters will open at noon today. Here is a list of shelters.
Buses will begin serving Transportation Rally Points at 11 a.m.today, ending at 8 p.m. or when sustained winds reach 35 mph, whichever comes first. Here is a list of transportation rally points.
Hurricane Ian live updates:Live Updates: Hurricane Ian's path, predictions and Florida Gov. DeSantis' latest
Where to find sandbags in Sarasota County
Sarasota County will offer sandbags from 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesday at three locations:
- Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
- Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota
- South County Fleet Services, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice
Hurricane Ian evacuations in Manatee County
Manatee County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zones A and B and a voluntary evacuation order for Zone C. Learn your zone here.
Manatee County shelters will open at 8 a.m. today. Here is a list of shelters.
Where to find sandbags in Manatee County
Manatee County will offer sandbags beginning at 8 a.m. and will continue to operate as long as the weather permits. See a list of the many locations here.
5:00 a.m. | Hurricane Ian now a Category 3, headed for Sarasota-Manatee
According to the National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. update, Hurricane Ian has made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of 125 mph.
Ian will emerge "over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later this morning, pass west of the Florida Keys later today, and approach the west coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday and Wednesday night," said the NHC.
Hurricane Ian is expected to approach Sarasota-Manatee as a Category 4 storm.
Opinion:Hurricane Ian's approaching, and all we have now is each other
Hurricane Ian is expected to bring a storm surge of 5-10 feet and 6-12 inches of rain, including "widespread considerable flash and urban flooding, and prolonged
significant river flooding" to the Sarasota-Manatee area, according to the NHC forecast.
"There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along much of the Florida west coast where a storm surge warning has been issued, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region," said the NHC.
The National Weather Service in Tampa warns of "widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period."
Sarasota and Manatee counties should expect tropical storm conditions beginning possibly Tuesday night, with hurricane conditions on Wednesday.
A hurricane warning and a storm surge warning are still in effect for Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Storm Danger:Hurricane Ian threatens to bring 5-8 feet of storm surge. Here's what to know