As Hurricane Season is just a few short weeks away, now is the time to take the action to prepare yourself, your loved ones and your home.
To start your preparations, take a few minutes and read our disaster preparedness guide, available at local libraries and Sarasota County Government offices or online at scgov.net/beprepared. Our website provides tips and checklists, a way to look up your evacuation level and information to make the necessary preparations for your family, home, neighborhood and business.
Preparing and having a plan is essential to your family’s safety when a disaster occurs. Please use the County Preparedness Guide as a tool to ensure you are ready to take the necessary actions to protect you and your family.
It is critical to have a well-stocked emergency supply kit ready, as extended power outages may occur. Once winds reach 45 mph during a storm, first responders will not be able to assist you. Your kit should include enough supplies for you and your household to last at least seven days.
Every storm is different and each presents different challenges. NO TWO STORMS ARE ALIKE. Just 24 hours before landfall, Milton’s predicted storm surge was a potentially catastrophic 10 to 15 feet along the entire coast.
Don’t base your decision on your experiences in past storms. The next storm can and will likely be different.
Don’t wait until a storm approaches; take steps today to prepare yourself, your loved ones and your property.
Storm surge is the number one hurricane-related threat to life and safety of residents, causing the greatest number of deaths in hurricanes. The 10 to 15 feet of storm surge predicted for Milton required evacuations of Levels A, B, and C! This was the largest evacuation in Sarasota County history. Ultimately, the storm weakened because of a cold front, resulting in lower surge levels across most of the Keys ,with the exception of areas on Manasota Key, which received 10 feet of storm surge. Evacuation decisions are never made lightly. They are based on trusted weather data and potential for life-threatening conditions.
We believe our community took the calls to evacuate for Hurricanes Helene and Milton seriously. Should evacuations be necessary again this year, we urge you to heed all warnings. Asking people to leave their homes is a decision always made with the safety of our residents as a top priority.
When an evacuation order is issued, official announcements will be posted on our website, social media and local news, specifying which areas must evacuate. When local officials issue an evacuation order, the question is not IF you should leave but how quickly.
Sarasota County teams are hard at work preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. The mission requires steadfast dedication to planning, training and preparing across all departments, as well as collaboration with city partners, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders. Our team reviewed last season’s events to identify and implement any enhancements to improve future response and recovery efforts.
County departments work tirelessly long before a storm reaches our shores to prepare county facilities, equipment, evacuation centers, transportation and information for our community. They operate 24/7 in our Emergency Operations Center, and as soon as conditions are safe, they return to the community to assess damage, make repairs and begin recovery efforts. Their dedication and commitment are a crucial part of what makes our community strong.
Take advantage of tax-free holidays when they are announced and purchase eligible supplies in advance. Once you make sure you have all the basic supplies, such as water and non-perishable food, add medications and any unique items for your loved ones. Gather important documents and emergency contacts, keeping them in a safe place, or save electronic copies. Don’t forget to plan for your pets, too.
Now is the time to take the action to prepare yourself, your loved ones and your home. Hazardous weather can strike at any time. Make sure your plans and kits are ready.
Stay safe.
Rich Collins is the director of emergency services for Sarasota County.
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