Manatee County residents are urged to prepare for rain and flooding as Tropical Storm Erika inches closer.

On Friday, county commissioners declared a local state of emergency in advance of Erika. The formal measure gives Manatee County government officials the ability to act quickly to respond to an approaching storm.

On Saturday, Manatee County Emergency Operations Center will be elevated to a Level 2 activation as they continue to closely monitor the storm track. An EOC briefing is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

By that time, emergency management officials will have a better idea of the strength and path of the storm.

At this time, no evacuation notices have been issued.

For now, Emergency Management Chief Don Hermey told local officials to expect a high rain and wind event. Up to 15 inches of rain could arrive on Monday and Tuesday, meaning possible flooding conditions into next week.

"Many of our residents know when we have torrential downpours that there's a strong potential to flood," Hermey said. "They need to take extra precaution. With this kind of storm coming, there’s a strong flooding potential. They need to have a heightened awareness and prepare."

Hermey urged Manatee officials and residents to monitor local news reports about the storm track and to have a hurricane plan ready.

Anna Maria Island law enforcement is asking residents and visitors to avoid the island if the storm hits.

“With an event like this, it doesn’t matter how much work we do,” said William Tokajer, the chief of police with the Holmes Beach Police Department.  When you're on an island you're already low, you're already at water level.  We're going to have some flooded streets and there's no need to come out and look at them."

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Manatee County Public Works will offer up to 10 sandbags per family at the following locations:

  • Public Works Drainage Section at 5511 39th Street East, Bradenton
  • Lakewood Ranch Park at 5350 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard
  • GT Bray Park at 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
  • Buffalo Creek Park at 7550 69th Street East, Palmetto
  • Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street East, Palmetto