SARASOTA COUNTY – Emergency management officials issued a second evacuation order for additional Sarasota County residents Saturday in advance of Hurricane Irma and its potential impacts to our area.
The second evacuation order, which is a voluntary at this time, is for Zone B.
Sarasota County's mandatory evacuation order for residents in Zone A, on barrier islands (Longboat, Lido, Siesta, Casey and Manasota keys and the Island of Venice) and in mobile homes is still in effect and residents have until 8 p.m. Saturday to evacuate. The decision was made based on the storm’s current track and potential risk to public safety.
“Residents who live in these areas are advised to heed this order and take action if they haven’t already,” said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane. “The county is under a local state of emergency, and our goal is to ensure the safety of our citizens who are most at risk.”
The county has eight general population shelters now open:
- Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port
- Woodland Middle School (pet friendly), 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port
- Booker High School, 3201 N Orange Ave., Sarasota
- Brookside Middle School (pet friendly), 3636 S. Shade Ave., Sarasota
- Southside Elementary, 1901 Webber St., Sarasota
- Phillippi Shores Elementary, 4747 S Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
- North Port High (pet friendly), 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port
- Heron Creek Middle (pet friendly), 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port
In addition, two shelters will open for those residents with special needs who have registered with the county.
Additional information about shelter locations, evacuation zones and Hurricane Irma can be found at www.scgov.net or by calling the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.
