STORM2K

Several days of heavy rain may have caused malfunction at Manatee County DamSunday, June 22nd

A malfunctioning gate at the Manatee County Dam is forcing an emergency evacuation.

Officials with the county’s Public Safety Department ordered the move after the gate locked down at approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday night. They say the recent barrage of heavy rains in the area has pushed the water levels of Lake Manatee to a record 42 feet.

That coupled with the malfunctioning gate may cause the lake to breach emergency spillways, which would cause uncontrolled flooding in an area of East Manatee County.

Larry Leinhauser, the spokesman for the county’s Public Safety Department, says residents in a five to six mile radius near Upper Manatee River Rd. and State Road 64 need to evacuate as soon as possible.

Officials estimate the situation could affect 500 to 600 homes in the area.
"The lake levels are high and may breach at some point this morning," Leinhauser said. "We have opened several designated shelters in the area. The problem could possibly affect 500 to 600 homes, which could mean we are talking about 1,500 to 2,000 residents."

Early this morning Manatee Emergency Management officials used the county’s reverse 9-1-1 system to contact residents that could possibly be affected by the flooding.

"There are some residents however with unlisted phone numbers that we were unable to contact and we are hoping they see the media reports of this and make the proper preparations," Leinhauser said.

Several days of heavy rain have contributed to the emergency situation.
Approximately 30 residents of the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch have already been moved to the shelter at Braden River Middle School. Officials at the facility are asking residents to bring proper lodging if necessary because the only space they have available is on the floor of the school.

They are also asking residents to use the shelter as a last resort. Another shelter is currently open at Tillman Elementary School in Palmetto.
Leinhauser says the homes that could be affected the most are older models. Two shelters have been opened for residents that have been forced to leave their homes.

"The newer developments were built at a higher level and should be less vulnerable to flooding than are the older homes that were built before the newer flood plain guidelines were in place," he said.

Residents can call the Citizen Action Center at 941-748-4501 for more