Hurricane season ends today

Hurricane season ends today, and once again, the season was a quiet one for Longboat Key and the mainland.

Hurricane Irene was the sole hurricane to hit the United States this year, but the season was actually an active one with 19 tropical storms, compared to the average of 11. Six of these storms became hurricanes, two of which were major hurricanes.

Although none of the season’s storms directly threatened Longboat Key, town officials monitored multiple storms, including Hurricane Irene. The town’s hurricane plan requires staff to make preparations more than 72 hours before a hurricane could strike.

The last time the greater Sarasota area, including Longboat Key, experienced a direct hit was 1944.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].