Sarasota and the state are on the east side of the storm, “which is traditionally the side that has rain and the wind and possibly some isolated tornadoes,” McCrane said.
Currently officials are anticipating a two-to-four-foot storm surge, sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.
“Better than we hoped, this is good,” McCrane said during a 6 p.m. video update.
Because sustained winds will be less than 45 mph, emergency vehicles should still be able to respond to calls for aid.
“It’s up to the chief officers, but vehicles will still be able to respond,” McCrane said.