Prepare Now for Hurricane Season

Last Thursday evening, Barbara Katz, a Longboat Key resident whose home was damaged by Hurricane Helene last year, attended a Hurricane Preparedness Community Conversation organized by Sarasota County to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Joined by over 370 local residents at Riverview High School, she aimed to ensure she was ready for the “next one.” Authorities from the Sarasota County, Florida Division of Emergency Management, National Weather Service, and FEMA discussed what lies ahead as experts predict a stormy season with 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes from June 1 to November 30.

Katz, who has lived on Longboat Key for 11 years, suffered significant losses when Hurricane Helene struck in September 2024. “I want to do everything possible to prepare for the next storm, which I know is coming eventually,” she remarked. “People seem to be realizing this is a serious situation.”

Residents and agencies connect, but changes raise concern

Concerns were raised about federal budget cuts impacting FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which could hinder future storm recovery efforts. Kerrey Chaney, a local resident, shared his experience with Hurricane Ian’s fallout, stating, “FEMA funding was important for my recovery.” He stressed the importance of such support in navigating pairings of storms and their subsequent damages.

Katz echoed these worries, accentuating that the current administration’s potential cuts to FEMA jeopardize citizen safety. “They’re making it less likely for ordinary people to be protected,” she stated.

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie discussed the importance of personal preparedness and insurance, asserting that residents should not rely solely on FEMA for recovery funds. He explained the limitations of FEMA assistance—an average grant of around $4,000 over recent years—emphasizing that “FEMA is not there to make you whole.”

Local experts raise awareness about hurricane preparations in Sarasota County

Sarasota County has faced upheaval in recent years due to severe storms. Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi highlighted the need for residents to heed evacuation orders, remarking on the county’s largest evacuation in history last year ahead of Hurricane Milton. “If we tell you to leave, it means we think it’s safer than staying,” she said, urging attendees to prioritize their safety.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Jennifer Hubbard discussed storm surges, illustrating the precariousness of Florida’s unique coastline where storms can yield repercussions miles away from landfall. “You can be 100 plus miles down the coast and still see devastating impacts,” she explained.