Update, Oct. 8: Sarasota County has expanded its evacuation orders to include Zones A, B and C. 

Hurricane Milton is currently a Category 5 hurricane packing winds of up to 145 mph before it makes landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Rainfall is expected to be 5-10 inches, with up to 15 inches in certain areas. Storm surge of 8-12 feet is also forecast for the area–twice that of Helene.

Evacuation Orders

Evacuation orders are in place for residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties living in Levels A, B, and C and manufactured communities, or a mobile or boat home. 

The City of Anna Maria has a mandatory evacuation in place.

The Town of Longboat Key has also ordered evacuations. A curfew for Longboat Key is in place from midnight to 6 a.m. You may evacuate using the north bridge, but reentry will not be granted via the north bridge.

Transport from the islands to shelters will start at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, and occur on the hour until nightfall. The pickup location is at CVS, 611 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach, 34217.

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8, Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will operate emergency transfers to shelters as long as possible. Specific pick-up locations will be announced.

In Sarasota County, call 311 to set up transportation to an evacuation center if you cannot drive yourself. To use all available resources to evacuate people, there will be no OnDemand or Siesta Key Trolley service. Breeze Plus will only be providing medical trips. There will be no Breeze services on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

For more information, call 311 in both counties 

What to Know About Evacuating

Click here to find your evacuation level in Sarasota County. Click here to find your zone in Manatee County. Sarasota County evacuation centers will open Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m., are all pet friendly, and can be found here. Emergency shelters are open in Manatee County at the following locations:

• Virgil Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th St. E., Palmetto (pet-friendly)
• Jessie P. Miller Elementary School, 601 43rd St. W., Bradenton (pet-friendly)
• Myakka Elementary School, 37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City (pet-friendly)
• W D Sugg Middle School, 5602 38th Ave. W., Bradenton (pet-friendly)
• Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School, 8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish (pet-friendly)
• Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, 6325 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch (pet-friendly)
• Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, 12205 44th Ave. E., Bradenton (pet-friendly)
• B D Gullett Elementary School, 12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton (pet-friendly)

Information about a special needs shelter for those who have pre-registered can be found at mymanatee.org/needs

When heading to an evacuation center, make sure to prepare your checklist for what to bring. All evacuation centers are pet-friendly, but you must bring supplies including a crate. Evacuation centers cannot provide chairs, bedding, cots, blankets or pet supplies.

How to Prepare to Evacuate 

If you live in Level A, B, or C or a manufactured home community or a mobile or boat home, now is the time to implement your plan, whether it’s staying with a family member or friend in a different level or leaving the area. If your plan is to leave the area, do so now. This will be one of the largest evacuations along Florida's west coast. If you wait, you will get stuck in traffic.

If you do not live in an evacuation zone, now is the time to prepare your property and ensure you have your supplies, such as water, non-perishable food and medicines ready for a minimum of seven days for each member of your family.

For the most up-to-date information in Manatee County, go to mymanatee.org/storm or call 311.

For the most up-to-date information in Sarasota County, go to scgov.net/storm or call 311.