Sarasota County event highlights storm surge risks, evacuation planning and safety resources
Story and Photos by Jane Bartnett
The 2026 hurricane season is nearly here. The official start is June 1, and it runs through Nov. 30. Experts say that due to the El Niño weather pattern, this year’s outlook may be quieter than in recent years, with fewer named storms predicted.
On April 11, hundreds of Sarasota County residents attended a morninglong Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness at Riverview High School. Numerous organizations were on hand to provide information about emergency preparedness programs available in the region. The second annual event included presentations and a question-and-answer session with local, state and federal officials.
Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis opened the session, noting that this year’s theme is “Ready Together.” He was joined by Rich Collins, Sarasota County emergency services director; Daniel Brown, branch chief of the Hurricane Specialist Unit at the National Hurricane Center; Sandra Tapfumaneyi, emergency management chief for Sarasota County Emergency Services; and Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Storm surge and evacuation zones
Collins focused on storm surge, now the leading cause of fatalities when hurricanes make landfall. He stressed the importance of knowing evacuation zones.
“Find out if you live in an evacuation zone,” Collins told the audience. “If a storm is coming, get out of the storm surge zone.”
He explained that shoreline slope plays a major role in how far storm surge travels inland, regardless of storm category. Residents can determine their evacuation zone by entering their address on the “Know Your Evacuation Level” page on the Sarasota County website.
The risk is highest in Zone A and decreases through Zones B, C, D and E as distance from the coast increases.
Storm size, forward speed and time over water all influence surge strength. A storm surge watch indicates the possibility of life-threatening flooding within 48 hours, while a warning signals that dangerous conditions may occur within 36 hours.
“In Sarasota County, storm surge can travel for miles inland,” Collins said. “If your zone is under an evacuation order, it is important to evacuate. Hide from the wind, but run from the water.”
He also pointed to plans for installing tall, color-coded poles at Siesta Key Beach, Nokomis and North Jetty to visually show how high storm surge can rise.
Forecasting and preparedness
Brown highlighted advances in hurricane forecasting.
“There have been tremendous improvements in science, tracking intensity and rapid strengthening,” he said. “Forecasts have lower average error and are more consistent than other models.”
He also announced a new mobile-friendly app to be released ahead of hurricane season.
As part of the National Hurricane Center’s 2026 Hurricane Awareness Tour, the public is invited to visit Sheltair Aviation at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on May 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. to tour hurricane hunter aircraft and meet meteorologists.
Be prepared
“Now is the time to prepare,” Tapfumaneyi said. “Each storm is different. We want you to make decisions based on the information we provide.”
She outlined a step-by-step plan for residents:
Make a plan:
Plan A: If your home was built after 2000, remain there unless told to evacuate.
Plan B: Stay with family or friends outside your evacuation zone.
Plan C: Book a pet-friendly hotel if needed.
Plan D: Go to an evacuation center. All Sarasota County centers are pet-friendly; the newest is at Skye Ranch School on Lorraine Road.
Plan E: For medical needs, call 311 or 941-861-5000.
Build a hurricane kit:
• One gallon of water per person and per pet for seven days
• Nonperishable food
• Can opener, paper plates and utensils
• First aid kit
• NOAA weather radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cellphone power bank and cash
Stay informed:
Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts at alert.sarasotacounty.gov to receive updates on their phones.
Insurance and resources
Guthrie urged residents to review homeowners and flood insurance coverage.
“Consider a policy that insures the contents of your home,” he said. “It can cost as little as $200 a year.”
More information is available at floridadisaster.org/floodinsurance.
A video recap of the event and downloadable preparedness guides are available at scgov.net. Residents can also call 311 or 941-861-5000 for assistance.
