- April 4, 2025
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Alma and Glenn Johnson work together to fill sandbags at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday.
Photo by Ian SwabyKendall Hall and Spencer Baron
Photo by Ian SwabyJustin, Pierce, and Violet DeWitt
Photo by Ian SwabyKen Putz uses a cone to fill a sandbag at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday.
Photo by Ian Swaby7-year-old Jocelyn Ortiz and Edwin Ortiz
Photo by Ian SwabyBayfront Park on TuesdayCaptain Bobby Chiodini ties down the historic tour boat the Carefree Learner, also known as Sarasota High School’s “floating classroom,” at Bayfront Park on Tuesday.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe high tide from the supermoon reaches just inches from the shoreline in the marina at Bayfront Park.
Photo by Ian SwabyMark Rainey and John Robinson of Freedom Boat Club take inventory in advance of the storm at Bayfront Park on Tuesday.
Photo by Ian SwabyJoel Yoder of Freedom Boat Club secures a boat at Bayfront Park on Tuesday
Photo by Ian SwabyThe seas were rough on Tuesday morning at Siesta Key Beach.
Photo by Ian SwabyRylie Hollar and Kayley Robinson watch the rough seas on Tuesday at Siesta Key Beach.
Photo by Ian SwabyKristin Johnson and 8-year-old Kylah Johnson explore the high tides resulting from the supermoon at Siesta Key Beach on Tuesday.
Photo by Ian SwabyMichelle Lee secures her boat at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
Photo by Ian SwabyStorm clouds approach at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
Photo by Ian SwabyAs Hurricane Idalia approaches, many Sarasota residents say they are not sure what to expect from the storm, but many still said the best course of action is to be prepared.
“Better safe than sorry,” said Kendall Hall as she filled bags of sand with her fiancee Kendall Baron at Ed Smith Stadium.
Residents were glad to see that the community was assisting in the preparedness effort through the offering of sandbags at multiple locations. Justin DeWitt praised the quality of the bags that were on offer at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday night, as well as the cones available for funneling the sand.
“It was really nice to receive this from the community,” he said. “We appreciate it.”
Prior to the storm, boat owners across Sarasota were securing their vessels in preparation for possible storm surge. A high tide resulting from the “supermoon” phenomenon presented additional concern for boat owners.
“It’s a very high tide, and I’m expecting it to go up a little more,” said Captain Bobby Chiodini, who was at work securing the Carefree Learner, a vessel used for student educational tours.
After Sarasota felt the impacts of Hurricane Ian last year, some residents were not thrilled to be dealing with a stormy situation again.
However, Sarasota isn't the only area where natural disasters are a concern. Having just moved from California, Katie Morales only recently experienced Hurricane Hilary, while she had earthquake and tornado experiences in her former home as well.
“It’s just a tsunami, a mudslide, and a few other things that I need to have under my belt,” she said.
