Several local schools have announced closures as Hurricane Milton, now a Category 1 storm, barrels toward the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Sarasota County public schools will be closed Monday through at least Wednesday ahead of Tropical Storm Milton,

School District of Manatee County officials say they are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, which is forecast to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as a major hurricane by the middle of this week. School district officials say they will announce Sunday whether or not schools will be closed Monday.

The developing storm comes as Manatee County’s recovery from Helene is still underway. That hurricane devastated Manatee County with record-breaking storm surge, flooding and property damage — especially in coastal areas. While residents, businesses and government crews continue cleanup efforts, another strong storm is on the way.

The Gulf of Mexico system has become Tropical Storm Milton and is expected to intensify quickly as it moves east. It is forecast to reach the west coast of Florida mid-week. Tropical-storm-force winds could reach Sarasota and Manatee counties by Wednesday morning.

School District of Manatee County officials say all schools will be closed for several days this week as Hurricane Milton moves toward a predicted landfall on Florida’s west coast. On Sunday afternoon, district officials announced that schools will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. All school activities will be canceled on those days.

Additional rain on the already saturated ground could cause flooding at a faster rate in Sarasota and Manatee counties, forecasters warn.