By Wednesday night or Thursday morning, the National Weather Service projects that Ian will hit Manatee County, just north of Sarasota. Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key and Anna Maria are facing mandatory evacuations, restricted entry, and water will be shut off to prevent damage to the county's water system infrastructure.
According to the local Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota County called for evacuations starting yesterday. All residents in evacuation zones A and B (red and orange areas below) are under a mandatory evacuation, which includes anyone living in a mobile home. Residents living in evacuation zone C are strongly recommended to evacuate.
Evacuation centers are opening, including one at the new Riverview High School which replaced Rudolph’s original 1957 building that was demolished in 2009.
Sarasota County Evacuation Levels
Sarasota has faced significant storms in the past, but the last hurricane to directly hit the region was Category 3 Hurricane Donna in 1960. In 1966, the pavilion roof of Rudolph’s Umbrella Residence was blown off the house by winds from nearby Hurricane Alma. It was eventually rebuilt in 2011.
We wish everyone to stay safe and have spoken to friends in the area about the ongoing situation.
Some of Rudolph’s notable structures in the area threatened by Hurricane Ian are the following:
