UPDATE: Voluntary Evacuation Recommended For Some Residents

Updated Aug. 26 1:35 p.m.

Emergency management officials are recommending voluntary evacuation for some residents in anticipation for Tropical Storm Isaac.

Sarasota County Emergency Management says that coastal residents can expect to see storm surge that's one foot higher than what the county saw during Tropical Storm Debby.

A voluntary evacuation is recommended for residents and visitors near rivers or low lying areas, and evacuations are recommended as well for Manasota Key due to beach erosion and storm surge and mobile home residents as tornados are possible.

An emergency shelter is now open at Brookside Middle School, 3636 S. Shade Ave. in Sarasota. The shelter is pet-friendly. Two other shelters are open in North Port at Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd., and Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd.

No bridge closures are anticipated for Sarasota or Siesta Key yet, but the following bridges in south county are expected to be locked today by the U.S. Coast Guard: 

• Blackburn Point swing bridge (Casey Key)
• Manasota Key drawbridge (Englewood)
• Venice Avenue drawbridge (Venice)
• Albee Road drawbridge (Nokomis)

Those bridges are closed to vessel traffic, but will remain open to vehicular traffic.

buses will not run Monday, and trash will not be collected in both the county and in the City of Sarasota.

 will close schools Monday due to Tropical Storm Isaac.

Also, Sarasota County Government offices including the Clerk of Courts will also be closed on Monday.

As the forecast and expected impact of Isaac is evolving, school district administrators are working closely with Sarasota County Emergency Management officials to track any changes in the storm’s path and provide ample time for the community to prepare.

As of Saturday afternoon, Isaac is tracking more west, but the Suncoast is still on a Tropical Storm Alert. The storm is expected to reach hurricane strength late Sunday into Monday morning, according to Sarasota County Emergency Management officials.

Coastal residents can expect storm surge at least one foot higher than the highest surge from Tropical Storm Debby, according to county officials. Boat owners should take all necessary precautions, including moving their vessel due to expected storm surge of three feet or more.

County officials will determine Sunday if it will be necessary to open shelters and take other precautionary actions.