Seminar keeps eyes on hurricane preparation

Sarasota can thank a big barrier island for the lack of hurricanes it receives, according to ABC 7 News Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan.

However, the barrier island is not Longboat key.

“That barrier island, it’s the entire east coast of Florida,” Harrigan said.

Harrigan spoke at Longboat Key’s 13th annual Disaster Preparedness Seminar.

Other speakers included Bryan Koon, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, along with Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane, Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Don Hermey, Director of State Fire Marshal Julius Halas, Longboat Police Chief Pete Cumming and Longboat Key Public Works Project Manager James Linkogle.

More than 110 people attended the seminar, which had the goal of teaching residents to prepare for a potential hurricane or other disaster on the Key.

“It’s been 10 years since our last hurricane in Florida,” Koon said. “We’re in a bit of a quiet period right now, but it’s guaranteed we will have them again in the future. We just don’t know when.”

Although the Southwest Coast of Florida is one of the state’s safest, and this year’s hurricane season is predicted to be a mild one, that doesn’t mean a hurricane won’t strike.

The last direct hit to the area was Oct. 19, 1944. If the same hurricane hit today, it would cause an estimated $19 billion in damage.

“It only takes one, and it’s just a matter of time,” Hermey said. “We want to make sure you’re prepared and you have everything organized and know the process.”

It is important for residents to plan ahead in the event of an evacuation so they don’t miss details in a hurry.

“We all know Longboat Key is a paradise, but living on a barrier island also comes at the risk of a hurricane and severe tropical storms. We must also be prepared.” — Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan

Increases in technology allow meteorologists to better predict storms, letting emergency officials better evacuate areas.

“The better the forecast coming in, the more focused we can be with evacuations, and the more people we can get out of harm’s way and the fewer people we unnecessarily evacuate,” Koon said. “We’re pleased with the advances. It will continue to become better year after year.”

Residents will usually receive several days’ notice to evacuate, but sometimes they must leave with just a few hours’ notice — which makes a plan of action even more necessary.

“It’s folks like you who are aware with what’s going who help us,” Koon said. “You know what your hazards are, what your plan of action is, which helps us help those who truly need our help. The more we empower Floridians to take care of themselves, the better we can be.”

If an evacuation is ordered, it is for a reason. It is essential for residents to heed to the warning and evacuate as soon as possible.

“You want to get out of the storm’s path because that will save your life,” McCrane said. “You can always rebuild your home, but you only have one life, so evacuate.”