Tropical Storm in Coastal Manatee, Florida

Hermine formed in the Florida Straits south of Key West on August 28th. It remained a very disorganized tropical depression for a few days before the environment around it gradually became more favorable and it became a tropical storm late in the day on the 30th. Hurricane Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks, Florida around 0130EDT on September 2 as a Category 1 Hurricane with a minimum central pressure of 982 mb, and maximum sustained winds estimated at 70 knots (80 MPH). Heavy rainfall over West-Central and Southwest Florida began on August 31 and continued through September 2, with as much as 20 inches of rain falling in some locations. River flooding from this heavy rain impacted some areas through September 6th. Storm surge generally ranged from 2 to 7 feet above normal high tide, with the highest storm surge value recorded of 7.5 feet at Cedar Key. The collective effects of Hurricane Hermine during the period of September 1-6 resulted in just over $219M in property damage, and no fatalities or injuries across West-Central and Southwest Florida.

In Manatee County, the highest sustained wind speed recorded was 36 knots, with a peak gust of 47 knots in the afternoon of the 1st at the ASOS at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Storm total rainfall ranged from 5 to 10 inches between the 31st and the 2nd, with the highest value recorded of 9.82 inches at the CoCoRaHS station 2 NNW Willow Oak. Storm surge generally ranged from 2 to 3 feet above normal high tide.

Wind gusts damaged multiple roofs and lanais in Bradenton and Ellenton. Rising flood also waters caused numerous homes in Bradenton to be evacuated.

In total, Manatee County Emergency Management reported 72 homes sustained minor damage, 21 had major damage, and no homes were destroyed. Damage totaled $5.1 million, which includes $4.25 million in beach erosion/coastal flooding, $500,000 in wind damage, and $350,000 in inland flooding.

Hermine formed in the Florida Straits south of Key West on August 28th. It remained a very disorganized tropical depression for a few days before the environment around it gradually became more favorable and it became a tropical storm late in the day on the 30th. Hurricane Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks, Florida around 0130EDT on September 2 as a Category 1 Hurricane with a minimum central pressure of 982 mb, and maximum sustained winds estimated at 70 knots (80 MPH). Heavy rainfall over West-Central and Southwest Florida began on August 31 and continued through September 2, with as much as 20 inches of rain falling in some locations. River flooding from this heavy rain impacted some areas through September 6th. Storm surge generally ranged from 2 to 7 feet above normal high tide, with the highest storm surge value recorded of 7.5 feet at Cedar Key.

The collective effects of Hurricane Hermine during the period of September 1-6 resulted in just over $219M in property damage, and no fatalities or injuries across West-Central and Southwest Florida. This damage included $124.15 million in surge and coastal flood damage, $91.9 million in inland flooding, and $3.22 million in wind damage. Totaling up all of the residences and other structures reported damaged by the individual counties, 3440 structures sustained minor damage, 1000, had major damage, and 22 were destroyed.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge across the mouth of the Tampa Bay was closed for just over 24 hours beginning on the afternoon of the 1st due to the high wind speeds. Numerous power outages were also reported, with around 39,000 people without power in Pinellas and Hillsborough County on the evening of the 1st.