SARASOTA COUNTY – With the official start of hurricane season just days away, Sarasota County Emergency Management encourages the community to take precautions for hazardous weather while keeping COVID-19 precautions in mind. Hurricane season is June 1 through Nov. 30, but preparing now ensures you will be ready sin the event of a storm. Ensure disaster supply kits are complete and plans are in place. Knowing the risk, getting prepared, and staying informed are vital steps everyone can take to get ready for hurricane season. “Don’t wait until a storm is approaching gather supplies or make your plans. Being prepared is the best way to ensure your family is ready for any disaster,” said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane. COVID-19: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and precautions related to COVID-19 should continue to be utilized in preparations. Include cloth face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant in disaster kits. Consider an evacuation plan that allows for staying with friends or family and remember to socially distance if possible. Hurricane evacuation centers should be a last resort. Sarasota County evacuation centers will continue to use Florida Department of Health and CDC guidelines for screening, use of masks, social distancing and increased sanitation. Being fully vaccinated provides an additional layer of protection for evacuees who seek shelter in hurricane evacuation centers. Additional information from Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane can be found here. Be Prepared: Take action now by having an evacuation plan for your family – including pets – along with a communications plan and a disaster kit. A disaster kit should have supplies to last each person and pet up to 10 days. Kits should include a cloth mask and hand sanitizer, important paperwork and medications. Resources and support may not be available within the first 72 hours of a storm, depending on its severity. Know Your Risk: Due to recent updates to storm surge maps for the area, evacuation levels may have changed. The community is encouraged to check and memorize their hurricane evacuation level on the maps available online at scgov.net/beprepared. According to Sarasota County Emergency Management officials, you may be at risk for storm surge even if you can’t see water from your home. The updated storm surge maps are available online by visiting scgov.net/beprepared. Stay Informed: Sign up for Alert Sarasota County or for the Sarasota County emergency newsletter to stay informed in the event of an emergency. Sign up for both by visiting the Emergency Services page on scgov.net. In addition, monitor local media and Sarasota County Facebook and Twitter accounts for hurricane watches and warnings in your area. Follow directions of local officials, and have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available in the event the power goes out. The state’s disaster preparedness sales tax holiday is May 28, 2021 through June 6, 2021. A full list of qualifying items can be found at floridarevenue.com/disasterprep. Those with qualifying medical needs are encouraged to complete the Medically Dependent online application. Online applications will stop being accepted at 60 hours prior to expected impact of storm. Those who need transportation to an evacuation center are encouraged to fill out the online form. The registration process will cease when landfall is expected within 60 hours. |
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA compliance) |