Sarasota County Schools and the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center are monitoring Tropical Storm Ian. All Sarasota County Schools will be open Monday, Sept. 26, with normal operations.

As the track and intensity of the storm remain uncertain, there is a possibility that all public schools may close on Tuesday, Sept. 27, for evacuation center openings.

Updates will be sent out and posted at www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane with all school-related information as it becomes available.

Sandbags will be available Monday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Limit 10 bags per vehicle. Sandbags and shovels are provided. 

LOCATIONS 

Sand will be available at the following locations:

• Ed Smith Stadium | 2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237
• Twin Lakes Park | 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
• South County Fleet | 4571 FL-776, Venice, FL 34293 | Note: Enter South County Fleet from 4000 South Tamiami Trail (R.L. Anderson Administration Center) and follow the signs. There is no access available to this site from Jacaranda Blvd.

NOTE:

• Please be patient and expect traffic at the sandbag locations. 
• It is prohibited per county code to remove sand from any county-owned public beaches. 
• Changes in weather pattern could impact operational times.

Additional sandbag operations:

• Town of Longboat Key sandbag operations
• City of Venice sandbag operations
• City of North Port sandbag operations
• Manatee County sandbag operations
• Charlotte County sandbag operations

All scheduled Monday, Sept. 26, pick-ups will occur as scheduled.

The status of curbside collection for garbage, recycling and yard waste, as well as landfill operations, may change after Monday due to the changing conditions of the storm's predicted path. All solid waste operations will be assessed on a day-to-day basis. We encourage residents to check scgov.net for updates daily before placing anything at the curb. 

Sarasota County: The county continues to actively monitor and prepare for the storm. At this time, we anticipate normal county operations Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 26 and 27, including the County Commission Meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, and the Final Budget Public Hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.  

City of North Port: The North Port City Commission will consider an ordinance declaring a state of local emergency due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Ian when it holds a special meeting at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 25. More information on the special meeting can be found here.

Longboat Key: At this time, we anticipate normal city operations on Monday, Sept. 26, and Tuesday, Sept. 27, including the city’s Budget Public Hearing at 5:01 p.m. Monday and the regular City Council meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

City of Venice: The City of Venice Emergency Operations Center is currently in communications with the Sarasota County EOC concerning Tropical Storm Ian. City officials are monitoring the storm and will make adjustments as needed. At this time, we anticipate normal city operations for Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 26 and 27, including the city's Budget Public Hearing at 5:01 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, and regular City Council Meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27. 

Sign up for emergency notifications by registering for Alert Sarasota County, Sarasota County’s mass notification system for rapid emergency updates. This service sends alerts via phone, text and/or email, depending on user preference.

Opt-in for alert subscriptions offered by the county or your local municipality:

• Alert Sarasota County – Sarasota County (unincorporated).
• Alert Sarasota County – City of Sarasota.
• Alert Sarasota County – City of North Port. 
• Alert Sarasota County – City of Venice.
• Alert Sarasota County – Town of Longboat Key.

Download the free Everbridge mobile app to see all public notifications issued through the Everbridge alert system.

Report issues with traffic lighting, intersections signage or potholes by calling 311.