Sarasota County: Recent hurricane activity reminds us to be prepared

While we were implementing changes and improvements from the Hurricane Irma After Action Report last year, we watched Hurricane Michael pass dangerously close to our coast and devastate several counties in the Florida panhandle.

In less than 72 hours, Michael grew from a weak tropical depression to a 160-mph Category 5 hurricane, pushing as much as 15 feet of storm surge into vulnerable coastal counties.

We do not know what the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season has in store for our coast, but everyone should have a plan and prepare now.

Since we've updated our procedures, we have been working with media partners to ensure all residents are informed and better prepared for the next hurricane. Key changes include implementation of a transportation-dependent plan providing rides to hurricane evacuation centers, opening all centers at the same time and designating all evacuation centers as pet-friendly.

The time for you to prepare for hurricane season is now, not when the first storm is approaching. Your first step for storm preparation and storm information should be to visit Sarasota County’s website: scgov.net/beprepared.

This updated hurricane preparedness page will provide you links to information about preparations for your family, home, neighborhood and business, public service announcement videos and a digital version of the disaster planning guide.

Guides are also available at the following locations:

• Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center, 6050 Porter Way

• Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd.

• Sarasota County libraries

If you would like multiple guides for your neighborhood, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 and ask to speak to emergency management.

People who are medically dependent and need assistance during a storm are encouraged to apply to the medical needs program. The easiest and quickest way to apply is online at scgov.net/beprepared. The instructions on the medical needs program page will provide a link to the medically dependent person online application.

To request an application be mailed to you, call 941-861-5000. It is important to apply early as paper applications will not be accepted when an expected storm is 120 hours from landfall, and online applications will stop being accepted at 60 hours prior to the expected impact of storm. All registered medically dependent persons must make every effort to bring a caregiver to the designated medically-dependent evacuation center.

Medically dependent persons are permitted to bring a spouse/significant other and dependents with you in addition to your caregiver.

Whether to stay or evacuate for a hurricane depends on which evacuation level you live in and the type of home you reside in. As the hurricane approaches, Sarasota County Emergency Management will issue evacuation orders by level and geographical area depending on the intensity of the storm and the expected height of storm tide and surge. You can also visit the county’s website to check if your home is in an evacuation zone.

Even if you don’t live in an evacuation level, you must evacuate if you live in a mobile home, recreational vehicle or boat located anywhere in the county. Your home may not be safe during a major hurricane if it wasn’t constructed to meet the Florida building codes. If you haven’t done a wind inspection on your house, or if you don’t have storm shutters, it may not be safe to stay.

If you do have to evacuate you should first try to stay with friends or family who live in a safe, prepared home outside of the evacuation area. For those who cannot leave the area, emergency management will be coordinating with the Sarasota County School District for the opening of hurricane evacuation centers.

Evacuation centers will be located within schools and will be announced through the media and the county’s website. Evacuation centers are considered a last resort and evacuees are expected to bring all their disaster supplies, bedding and comfort items with them.

Pets will be allowed at all evacuation centers; however, owners must ensure that they have the appropriate crate, leash and supplies. Pets must also be current on all vaccinations.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving to an evacuation center, or if you do not own a vehicle, you can take advantage of the new transportation dependent plan managed by Sarasota County Area Transit. This plan calls for transportation rally points to be established throughout the county where evacuees can be taken to the nearest available hurricane evacuation center

by SCAT or Sarasota County School District buses. Baggage is limited to two carry-on sized bags per person that can be stored under a seat or held in lap.

Pets are allowed; however, they must be in a crate or carrier and you must bring all pet supplies. If you can’t get to a rally point, you can register to be picked up at your home by going to the county’s website and registering for transportation to hurricane evacuation center.

Evacuees that do not have access to a computer may call the Sarasota County Contact Center for assistance in getting registered. If you will need this service, please register in advance because registrations will cease when landfall is expected within 60 hours.

It is also important to register for the Sarasota County Code Red telephone notification system. The CodeRED system allows you to receive calls, email alerts or text messages in the event of an emergency that could impact your neighborhood or your business. Alerts include water or sewer interruptions, missing person alerts and major traffic detours, among others.

Weather warning service will automatically notify those registered of tornado, flash flood and severe thunderstorms just minutes after an alert is issued by the National Weather Service.

Code Red Weather Warning is an opt-in only service and is available for free.

Sarasota County Emergency Management will keep residents informed as storms approach and residents can count on us for help after a storm passes. But residents need to be prepared and self-sufficient until we can respond. Being prepared is the best way to make sure your family is ready for any disaster.

Remember, “The First 72 are on you!”

For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the county’s website at scgov.net/beprepared or call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.

Edward McCrane Jr. FPEM, is Sarasota County's Emergency Management chief.