Manatee County officials have issued evacuation orders for residents in Level A and a recommended evacuation order for residents in Level B. To check your zone, visit www.MyManatee.org/storm or www.FloridaDisaster.org/KnowYourZone.

Hurricane Helene set a storm surge record when it ravaged Manatee County on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service’s preliminary totals. The Category 4 storm left devastating flooding on Anna Maria Island and other county areas, before making direct landfall near Perry, Florida.

Most recently, commissioners agreed to pay the Florida Center for Government Accountability $75,000 on Sept. 10 to settle a lawsuit after Manatee County acknowledged that it had not been in compliance with the law, which requires public records be available to citizens in a timely manner.