Florida’s Peak Hurricane Season Is Here: A Gulf Coast Homeowner’s Guide to Being Prepared

Florida living means being prepared. Living along Florida's Gulf Coast comes with a lifestyle that's difficult to replicate beaches, boating, golf, waterfront communities and sunshine for much of the year. Hurricane season is part of living here, too. Being prepared doesn't mean living in fear of the next storm. It means understanding where you live, knowing the resources available to you and having a plan before you need one.

September marks the peak of Atlantic hurricane season, and for those of us who call Florida’s Gulf Coast home, it’s an important reminder to make sure our homes, families and storm plans are ready. Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with activity historically reaching its peak around September 10. For homeowners throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties, NOW is the time to prepare, NOT when a storm is already in the forecast.

The good news is that both counties provide excellent local resources to help residents stay informed, understand evacuation orders and prepare for an emergency. Here are some of the resources every Gulf Coast homeowner should have bookmarked.

Start With One of the Most Important Things: Know Your Evacuation level 

Do you know your home's evacuation level? If you had to think about it, now is a great time to check. Both Manatee and Sarasota counties designate evacuation areas based primarily on the threat of storm surge. These are different from FEMA flood zones, which are used to determine long-term flood risk and insurance requirements.

That distinction is important: your evacuation level and your flood zone are not the same thing.

Manatee County - Find Your Manatee County Evacuation Level

Manatee County residents can use the county's Know Your Evacuation Level resources to determine whether their property falls within evacuation Level A, B, C, D or E.

Sarasota County - Sarasota County Hurricane & Evacuation Information

Sarasota County residents can find evacuation information, storm surge resources and preparedness information through Sarasota County Emergency Services. Don't wait until an evacuation order has been issued to figure out where your home falls. Know your level now, decide where you would go and make sure everyone in your household understands the plan.

Sign Up for Local Emergency Alerts

Weather apps are useful, but during an emergency, information directly from your local government can be even more important.VBoth counties have emergency notification systems residents can sign up for.

Alert Manatee - Sign Up for Alert Manatee

Alert Manatee provides emergency notifications from Manatee County and local public safety officials. Notifications can include evacuation notices, severe weather warnings, boil-water advisories, hazardous road conditions and other important local emergency information.

Alert Sarasota County - Sign Up for Alert Sarasota County

Sarasota County residents can register for Alert Sarasota County to receive local emergency notifications and critical information. These systems are especially valuable during hurricanes because conditions and instructions can vary significantly from one community to another.

Community Emergency Response Teams: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

One of the lesser-known resources available locally is the Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, program. CERT programs train community members in basic disaster response so neighborhoods are better equipped to help themselves and one another before, during and immediately following an emergency.

Lakewood Ranch CERT - Visit Lakewood Ranch CERT

For Lakewood Ranch residents, Lakewood Ranch CERT provides local hurricane preparedness information and neighborhood-level emergency support. Volunteers receive training in areas such as disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue and emergency communications.

Sarasota County CERT - Learn About Sarasota County CERT

Sarasota County also operates a Community Emergency Response Team program, training residents in disaster preparedness and response skills that can be used to assist their families and communities following an emergency. These programs are a great reminder that hurricane preparedness isn't only an individual effort. Strong, prepared neighborhoods can make a meaningful difference after a storm.

Make a Plan for Family Members With Medical or Special Needs

For households with elderly family members, medical dependencies, mobility limitations or equipment that depends on electricity, hurricane preparation may require additional planning. Both counties provide programs for residents who may need additional assistance during an evacuation.

Manatee County Special Needs Registry - Manatee County Special Needs Registry

Manatee County's Special Needs Registry helps eligible residents who may require assistance with transportation or special-needs sheltering during an emergency. Registration should be completed before a storm threatens the area and must be renewed as required by the county.

Sarasota County Medical Needs Program - Sarasota County Medical Needs Program

Sarasota County provides a Medical Needs Program for residents whose medical conditions cannot safely be accommodated at a general population evacuation center. Eligible residents can pre-register for assistance, including transportation when appropriate and access to medically dependent evacuation facilities. If someone in your household may require this type of assistance, don't wait until an evacuation order is announced. Learn about eligibility and register ahead of time.

Give Your Home a Peak-Season Checkup

Hurricane preparation doesn't have to begin with a storm in the forecast. September is a good time to walk around your property and address potential problems while contractors, supplies and services are easier to access.

Take a few minutes to:

• Trim dead or damaged tree limbs and evaluate trees near the home.
• Test your generator and review safe operating procedures.
• Inspect hurricane shutters and locate all necessary hardware.
• Clear gutters, drains and areas where water may collect.
• Make a plan for patio furniture, grills, umbrellas and other outdoor items.
• Check flashlights, batteries and portable chargers.
• Photograph the interior and exterior of your property for your records.
• Keep insurance policies and important documents somewhere easily accessible.
• Refill necessary medications before a storm approaches.
• Include pets, carriers, food, medications and veterinary records in your evacuation plan.

Both counties also publish additional hurricane preparedness information that can help you build a household emergency plan.

Manatee County Emergency Preparedness Resources

Sarasota County Emergency Preparedness Resources

Don't Wait for the Cone!

If you've lived in Florida long enough, you know what happens when a storm suddenly appears to be headed our way. Gas stations get busy. Grocery store shelves empty. Generators and storm supplies become harder to find. Contractors become booked. Everyone starts preparing at once. The easiest time to prepare for a hurricane is when there isn't one headed toward us. Know your evacuation level. Decide where you'll go if you need to leave. Make arrangements for pets. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Keep important documents accessible. Know how you'll receive local emergency information. Then, if a storm does threaten the Gulf Coast, you're making informed decisions instead of starting from scratch.

At Polachek Properties, we believe our relationship with our clients extends far beyond the closing table. We want to remain a trusted local resource for the homeowners and families we serve throughout Manatee County, Sarasota County and Florida's Gulf Coast.

If you're one of our past clients and need a trusted local recommendation for tree trimming, generator maintenance, storm shutters, home maintenance or another pre-storm project, reach out to our team. If we know someone we trust, we're happy to point you in the right direction.

Here's to staying prepared, staying informed and hopefully having a quiet remainder of hurricane season.