Hurricane season is almost here, and preparedness in local government, in your home, or your business is key to our community’s safety.
Sarasota County has weathered its share of powerful storms, and 2024’s Debby, Helene,and Milton were a stark reminder that we are not immune to the potential impact of a hurricane. Every storm is different. Past experiences should never guide our decisions as a storm approaches; preparation should.
One of the greatest threats we face is storm surge. To increase awareness of the danger, you will soon notice tall, colorful poles on Siesta, Nokomis and North Jetty beaches. These markers show how high storm surge can rise and serve as a visual reminder of why timely evacuation saves lives.
“Ready Together” isn’t just a slogan. It’s an invitation for families, neighbors, and friends across Sarasota County to prepare side by side. Long before a storm forms, county staff are already at work — strengthening facilities, coordinating transportation, preparing evacuation centers and training for emergency response. In addition to our year-round preparedness training efforts, during this year’s preparation efforts called “Operation Readiness,” our teams join with city partners, nonprofits and community organizations for two weeks of intensive training to ensure we’re ready to respond and recover quickly.
But readiness doesn’t start with government. It starts at home.
Here’s how you can prepare now:
- Read the Sarasota County Emergency Preparedness Guide —available at libraries, county offices, and at scgov.net/beprepared.
- Sign up for emergency alerts from Sarasota County at AlertSarasotaCounty.com.
- Make a family plan, especially if you live in an evacuation zone. Know where you’ll go and how you’ll get there.
- Build a seven‑day emergency supply kit, including medications and essentials for every member of your household.
- Take advantage of sales tax exemptions to stock up on supplies.
- Secure important documents and keep digital copies.
- Prepare for pets with food, carriers and records.
Evacuation orders are issued only when life-threatening conditions are expected. During the 2024 season, our community took those warnings seriously, and that vigilance saved lives. If an evacuation is ordered this season, the question isn’t whether you should leave, it’s how quickly you can do so safely.
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. Official updates will be shared through the county website, social media, emergency alerts and local news outlets. Staying informed is one of the simplest and most powerful preparedness steps you can take.
When we prepare as a community, when we are truly Ready Together, we strengthen our resilience and protect what matters most.
Rich Collins is the director of the Sarasota County Emergency Services Department.