Hurricane Preparedness

It is important to determine ahead of time whether you plan to shelter in your home or evacuate. If you live in a mobile home or are located in an area prone to flooding, you will most likely need to seek shelter elsewhere if dangerous conditions are expected. Early evacuation is recommended for areas that may experience flooding before the storm arrives. Sarasota County states that once an evacuation order has been issued, “everyone within the identified zone needs to leave the area.”

If you do not plan to shelter in your home, you may stay: with someone you know in an area outside the evacuation zone, at a hotel, or in an evacuation center. Sarasota County warns the decision to stay in an evacuation center should be a last resort, and to only go to one once local officials announce that it is open.

For updates on evacuation centers, go to scgov.net, local radio and television stations, and the county’s social media accounts.

For an evacuation checklist and more information on how to get to an evacuation center, click here.

How to Evacuate With Pets

Sarasota County allows dogs, cats, birds, rodents, turtles and service animals in all evacuation centers and offers a helpful pet supplies checklist:

The Red Cross suggests that you prepare your home for wind and flooding.

To get ready for high winds,

• Secure items outside, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.

• Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks.

• Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home. Review insurance policies.

• Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or pre-cut plywood. 

To combat flooding,

• Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts.

• Stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.

• Consider elevating the heating system, water heater, and electric panel.

How to Shelter at Home

If you plan to ride out the storm at home, identify the safest areas of your house and how you will protect yourself from high winds and flooding. According to the Red Cross, you should shelter in an interior room, stay away from glass windows and doors, and move to higher ground before flooding begins.

After the storm, the Sarasota county will communicate the safety status of the area using the color-coded system below.

The county explains that:

Heavily impacted areas where damage is extensive and services are limited will require the RED status. As in Hurricane Ian impacts to power, traffic lights, and downed trees may require larger areas being designated as YELLOW; meaning take caution, be vigilant and careful when out on the roads. Finally, as power is restored, roads cleared, and traffic lights become operable, the level of danger will return to GREEN.

Hurricane season is known for its chaotic storms, but it can also be a time of preparation and planning. Whether you decide to evacuate or shelter in place, you can prepare yourself, your family, and your pets in advance. Create and execute checklists, make provisions, and stay informed.

For a complete guide to Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness from the City of North Port and Sarasota County please click here.