Town officials: Prepping for peak hurricane season should be underway

Officials from the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and Bay Isles Association say the time to finalize preparations for storms is now. 

On July 13, the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department hosted a Zoom seminar for homeowners association representatives to talk about hurricane preparedness and what residents can do in the face of the 2023 season. 

Meteorologists predicted 12-17 named storms, with five to nine being hurricanes and one to four being Category 3 hurricanes or higher, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said residents should always prepare for at least one storm per year. 

But plans should be flexible, he said. It is important to have a plan in place, but as conditions change it’s equally important to be adaptable. When an evacuation is ordered, Dezzi said everyone is expected to leave. 

“We don’t want anybody on this island to be a statistic,” he said. 

This is the time to figure out where to go in the event of an evacuation, Dezzi said. But a shelter wouldn’t be his first recommendation. He said he would rather see residents evacuate to a friend’s house, or somewhere more east or north. 

In Sarasota County, Dezzi said shelters are more accommodating to pets, whereas only certain Manatee County shelters allow pets. It’s also important to remember to bring any food, water and medications that are necessary for the pets. 

Boats and other vehicles are another aspect Dezzi said some people often forget about. Cars should be moved to higher ground or into vehicle storage. Boats should be removed from a lift or supported with extra lines. There are some areas in both counties, Dezzi said, where vehicles can be stored and protected from major storms. 

Either way, Dezzi said it’s important to leave early and with enough time to get to safety. 

“If you’re leaving the island and you see taillights from a fire truck, ambulance or police car then you’ve left too late,” Dezzi said. Those vehicles are the last to leave the island. 

Another important factor in hurricane preparedness is the Medical Dependent Program. Dezzi said the fire rescue needs to be aware of any medical dependent residents, which includes people who are unable to walk, are oxygen dependent or are bedridden. As a storm approaches, the fire rescue department contacts the medically dependent residents to ensure they have a plan to evacuate if the order is called. If any medically dependent residents need help or need to get to a medically dependent shelter, the department can offer assistance.  

For the most important updates in the wake of a major storm, aside from local weather, Dezzi said residents should enroll in Alert Longboat Key. Residents can go to www.longboatkey.org, and find “Alert Longboat Key” under the “Residents” tab. This is one of the most important preparations, according to Dezzi.

Under the radar

Some of the most important storm preparations begin with the structural integrity of buildings. 

This includes specially designed windows and doors, said Patti Fige, Longboat Key building official. The current building code requires any modifications to meet certain design pressures. On Longboat Key, windows must withstand a minimum pressure of 150 mph winds. Impact rating is another factor in building design, which measures how resistant materials are to airborne debris. 

If residents don’t want to spend extra money on the impact resistant design, the minimum is to incorporate wind pressure resistant windows, then add shutters on top to meet the impact rating. Recently, Fige said she has seen an upsurge in impact rated windows and doors instead of shutters. 

Walking through the aisles of Ace Hardware, it can be easy to get lost in everything that may be necessary to buy in preparation for a storm. But some of the most sought-after storm preparation items often aren’t on official lists, said Dave Silvani who has worked at Ace for about seven or eight years. 

Gas cans, Silvani said, are one of the more popular items that during pre-storm rushes. Tarps are another item people flock to, he said. These are used for protecting roofs, structures or other belongings outdoors. 

But the store's most in-demand items for storm prep are the $8.29 packs of washer wing nuts, according to Silvani. A small plastic package easily lost among the dozens of packs of fasteners is the key to securing home shutters. 

“One year, there was one woman who came in and bought every single one we had in store,” Silvani said.

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Patience is key

When the storm has passed, Dezzi said it’s important to follow reentry protocols, which ensure the island is safe before residents return. 

Tier 1 allows first responders to return and assess damage. Tier 2 welcomes property managers while staff ensures water utilities are up and running. Residents are able to return in Tier 3. That last phase doesn't happen until first responders make sure it is safe, so Dezzi asks for patience throughout the process.  

Mark Hullinger currently serves as the safety chair and board member of the Bay Isles Association. He has lived as a full-time resident on Longboat Key since 2004. Through Hurricanes Irma and Ian, Hullinger has seen the importance of following the tiered return plans. 

“There’s a reason why we can’t just throw the gates open right after the storm has left,” Hullinger said. 

It’s important to wait until first responders restore electricity and water, he said. Not only that, but water must be safe for use before residents can return comfortably. 

Hullinger said probably the most important advice in preparing for hurricane season is to start now. Having a bag of supplies ready to go in case of evacuation is key. If you start preparing those items when the hurricane warning begins, Hullinger said it’s too late.