MANATEE COUNTY, FL (September 23, 2024) – Manatee County is preparing for what could be another drenching rain event this week. Forecasters are watching Invest 97L (which would be named Helene) for potential development and impacts along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Manatee County staff has completed maintenance work on the Lake Manatee Dam. All three mechanical gates are operational, and the earthen gates have been restored to pre-Debby levels. Crews continue to maintain the lake elevation slightly below our wet season target of 38 feet (level as of 8 am Sept. 23, 2024, is 37.7’). Staff continues to monitor and will make decisions about any further reduction in the lake elevation leading up to the potential storm later this week based on NOAA forecasts.
Residents are encouraged to take any necessary precautions now to protect their property against possible flooding. Sandbag locations which have been open are being augmented with additional sites in at-risk areas. Open locations can be found at mymanatee.org/sandbags.
Follow official storm information from Manatee County at mymanatee.org/storm. Residents and visitors should monitor local news and the County's social media accounts for updates. Registering for Alert Manatee is another way to ensure you receive any severe weather updates