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Hurricane season is a reality of living in Sarasota, and preparing for a storm is about much more than buying bottled water when a storm is approaching. A little planning ahead can make a tremendous difference - especially for older adults, individuals with mobility challenges, families with pets, and anyone who may need additional assistance during an evacuation or power outage.

 

In Sarasota County, hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the peak of activity generally occurring from August through October. Sarasota County encourages residents to prepare before a storm threatens the area rather than waiting until the forecast becomes concerning.

 

Here are the basics every Sarasota-area household should consider.

 

Know Your Evacuation Level

One of the most important things you can do is find out which evacuation level applies to your home.

Florida uses evacuation zones from A through F, with Zone A generally being the most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first. Your evacuation level is based primarily on storm-surge risk - not simply how close you live to the coast.

And remember: don't make evacuation decisions based solely on a hurricane's category.

A Category 1 or Category 2 storm can still produce dangerous storm surge, and flooding can occur well beyond the immediate coastline. Sarasota County specifically cautions residents not to use hurricane category as their only evacuation decision-making tool.

Before hurricane season:

• Find your home's evacuation level.

• Know where you would go if you needed to leave.

• Identify more than one possible destination.

• Plan your route.

• Consider traffic and transportation needs.

• Discuss the plan with everyone in your household.

 

If an evacuation order is issued for your area, don't wait until the last minute to leave. Florida Emergency Management recommends having an evacuation destination and transportation plan established ahead of time.

 

Build Your Emergency Supply Kit Before You Need It

Waiting until a hurricane is approaching can make basic supplies difficult to find.

Florida recommends preparing enough supplies to meet your household's needs for at least seven days, while Sarasota County has encouraged residents to consider having supplies for at least 10 days because resources and services may not be immediately available after a major storm.

Your household kit should be customized to the people - and pets - in your home.

Consider including:

• Drinking water

• Nonperishable food

• Prescription medications

• First-aid supplies

• Flashlights

• Extra batteries

• Battery-powered or NOAA weather radio

• Phone chargers and backup power

• Toiletries

• Important documents

• Cash

• Basic tools

• Personal hygiene supplies

• Necessary medical or mobility equipment

• Pet food and water

• Pet medications and supplies

 

For older adults, don't forget the items that make everyday life possible. A hurricane kit isn't particularly useful if it contains food and flashlights but not the medications, mobility equipment, hearing-aid batteries, glasses, or other necessities someone relies on every day.

 

Make a Plan for Medications and Medical Needs

If someone in your household relies on regular medication, oxygen, medical equipment, mobility equipment, or other health-related supplies, make those needs part of the hurricane plan.

Don't wait until a storm is approaching to figure out:

• How medications will be obtained

• How medical equipment will operate during a power outage

• How the person will evacuate

• Who will provide transportation

• Where the person will stay

• What supplies need to travel with them

 

Sarasota County provides resources for residents with qualifying medical needs, including a Medically Dependent Person program. Registration should be handled well before a storm because applications may close before anticipated impacts.

If you're caring for an older adult or family member, it's also helpful to write down emergency contacts, medications, physicians, allergies, equipment needs, and other important information in one easily accessible location.

 

Don't Forget Your Pets

For many families, leaving a pet behind isn't an option - and it shouldn't be part of the plan.

Create a hurricane plan for your pets just as you would for every other member of the household.

Have ready:

• Food and water

• Medications

• Leashes and collars

• Carriers

• Vaccination or veterinary records

• Identification information

• Waste supplies

• Comfort items

• A recent photo of your pet

 

Know where you can take your pets if you need to evacuate. Don't assume that every hotel, shelter, or evacuation location will accept animals.

Florida Emergency Management specifically recommends including pets in your disaster planning.

A good rule: If you evacuate, your pets evacuate with you.

 

Prepare Your Home

Hurricane preparation isn't only about what you put in a supply bin. Your home itself needs attention.

Before storm season, Sarasota County recommends taking steps such as:

• Securing loose gutters and downspouts

• Clearing debris

• Checking windows and doors

• Addressing vulnerable garage doors

• Evaluating roof and exterior conditions

• Knowing how to shut off utilities when appropriate

• Addressing potential sources of wind or water damage

 

Take a walk around your property and look for items that could become projectiles in high winds.

Think about:

Patio furniture.
Planters.
Decorations.
Tools.                                                                                
Trash cans.
Umbrellas.
Loose branches.

 

It's much easier to make these decisions on a calm afternoon than when tropical-storm-force winds are approaching.

 

Have a Communication Plan

A hurricane can affect cell service, electricity, internet access, and transportation.

Decide ahead of time:

• Who will be your emergency contact?

• Where will family members meet?

• Who will check on an older relative?

• Who will help with transportation?

• Who will care for pets?

• Who has copies of important documents?

• Where will everyone go if evacuation is necessary?

 

Sarasota County encourages residents to sign up for Alert Sarasota County so they can receive emergency information and instructions.

Don't rely on one person being responsible for everything. If possible, establish a small network of family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers who can help one another.

 

Think About Power Outages

A hurricane doesn't have to make a direct hit on Sarasota to cause problems.

Strong winds, flooding, and other storm impacts can lead to extended power outages.

Consider what your household needs if the electricity is unavailable for several days.

For an older adult, that might include:

• Refrigerated medications

• Oxygen or other powered medical equipment

• CPAP equipment

• Mobility equipment

• Communication devices

• Refrigeration for food

• Air conditioning during extreme heat

 

If someone depends on electricity for essential medical equipment, make a backup plan before hurricane season.

 

Keep Important Documents Safe

Create a small emergency document kit containing copies of important information.

Consider including:

• Identification

• Insurance information

• Medication lists

• Medical information

• Emergency contacts

• Property information

• Financial account information

• Pet records

• Important legal documents

 

Sarasota County recommends securing important documents and keeping digital copies.

Keep the information somewhere secure and accessible - not buried in a filing cabinet that you may not be able to reach after a storm.

 

Don't Forget the Needs of Older Adults

Hurricane preparedness can be especially complicated for older adults who live alone or have mobility, cognitive, or medical needs.

Before storm season, consider:

Can they get out of the house safely?

Can they drive?

Can they manage stairs?

Can they carry their emergency supplies?

Do they have transportation if they need to evacuate?

Do they have someone who will check on them?

Can they operate their essential equipment during a power outage?

Do they know where they would go?

 

These are much easier questions to answer before a storm is approaching.

For someone who cannot drive themselves, Sarasota County's preparedness resources include transportation options and instructions for accessing evacuation transportation.

 

Know Where to Get Official Information

During a storm, social media can be helpful - but it shouldn't be your only source of information.

For Sarasota County residents, useful resources include:

• Sarasota County Emergency Services

• Alert Sarasota County

• Florida Division of Emergency Management

• National Hurricane Center

• Local emergency officials

• Local news and weather outlets

 

Sarasota County's hurricane preparedness page provides links to evacuation levels, shelters, storm surge information, transportation, pet preparation, medical-dependent resources, and disaster supply information.

 

Florida Division of Emergency Management — Plan & Prepare

 

Preparedness Is About Peace of Mind

Hurricane preparedness doesn't have to be overwhelming. In fact, the best time to prepare is when there isn't a storm in the forecast.

 

Take one step at a time. Find your evacuation level. Build your emergency kit. Make a transportation plan. Talk with your family. Prepare for your pets. Check on an older loved one.

A little preparation today can make an uncertain situation much easier to navigate tomorrow.

 

Stay informed. Make a plan. Prepare early. And when the time comes, know your next step.

 

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for instructions from Sarasota County Emergency Management, Florida Emergency Management, emergency personnel, or other qualified professionals. Always follow current official evacuation and emergency instructions.