Panel of experts to represent National Hurricane Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Sarasota County Emergency Management
Members of the public are invited to a free Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness that Sarasota County Government and partner agencies will host from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Riverview High School, county staff has announced.
Riverview stands at 1 Ram Way, off Proctor Road, in Sarasota.
The event has been “designed to share lessons learned from previous hurricane seasons and help community members prepare for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season,” which will begin on June 1, a news release says.
This will be the second Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness, the release adds; “the first was held in 2025 in an effort to support the community following the impactful 2024 hurricane season.”
The release further notes, “Attendees will hear from a panel of experts representing the National Hurricane Center, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Sarasota County Emergency Management organizations. Topics will include personal and home preparation, evacuation procedures, evacuation center options, and what to expect from national forecasting models in 2026.”
“We heard great feedback from our community after this event last year, and we want to make sure our residents have the information they need from local, state and national experts to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season,” said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi in the release.
Although the event is free, registration is required, the release points out. Attendees also may submit questions for panelists as part of the registration process, it adds. To register and/or learn more information about the event, visit scgov.net/CommunityConversations.
The doors will open at 9 a.m. on April 11, with exhibitor booths set up. The presentations will begin at 10 a.m., the release says.
“Now is the time to finalize your family’s emergency plans and build or refresh your supply kits,” the release also points out. “For preparedness tips and resources, visit scgov.net/beprepared.”