Evacuation from Our Lido Key "Sand Bar" in Event of an Approaching Storm

Dear LSPOA members:

We are at that time of year, when the weather is warmer, the traffic is lighter and the restaurants are less crowded.  Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when those of us who spend summers on Lido Key face the highest risk of a major weather event.

Hurricane season is underway and with us through November 30th.  Although the worst risks typically are August and September,  a major storm can occur at any time.  Florida had a ten-year hiatus from big weather events, until last year when we had two storms.  Major events are predicted to occur again this year.

I attended a Sarasota County Evacuation and Re-Entry Seminar last week and would like to share some of the  recent County Planning in the event of an impending hurricane or large storm which may impact our area.

The County Evacuation Zones have been reconfigured.   All of the Barrier Islands, and that includes Lido Shores, are now Zone A.  We have been recognized as “Number 1”.   Stop Signs throughout the County now have a letter, black on yellow, appended to them.  Our letter and zone is “A”.

Storm Surge

If there is a predicted storm surge of 10-foot or greater, we face mandatory evacuation.  A storm surge is basically a dome of water, lifted up by a hurricane’s low pressure and pushed forward by high winds, in excess of 45-mph.  The effect will be compounded if it occurs during a high tide and by the specific geography of your home’s location.

Homes in Zone A have the potential for serious flooding even with smaller and less severe weather events. Evacuation warnings would ideally be given 48-hours before a storm is expected to make landfall.  During that time frame shelters would be prepared and opened and our members would be warned to evacuate. 

Mandatory Evacuation

“Mandatory” evacuation means that if you are found outside your house, you may be forced to leave.  The County will not forcibly remove you from inside your home.  Once winds exceed 45-mph, there will be no first responders nor emergency crews.  They seek shelter once the winds are above 45-mph.  I would infer that if you were trying to leave the island at that time, you would be on your own. 

Hurricane Warning

A hurricane warning indicates that our section of the coast can expect sustained winds of at least 74- mph within 36-hours.  A surge warning denotes possible life threatening rising water within 36-hours.

The evacuation plan for Lido Shores, is that we drive south, around St. Armand’s Circle and then across the John Ringling Causeway and then turn onto US-41.  At the junction of Gulf Stream and #41, we should be directed to the available shelters. 

We will be joined by many if not most of the residents of south Longboat Key.  Traffic will not be allowed to exit off Boulevard of the Presidents, and will be funneled around St. Armand’s Circle, and across the Bridge.   Basically, once you start to evacuate. it is a one way trip.

Evacuation Centers

Evacuation centers are planned in schools outside the highest risk areas.  Brookside Middle School to the south and Booker High School to the north are the two first centers to open, followed by Southside Elementary School and then Sarasota High School, Tuttle Elementary and Booker Middle School.

These will open in sequence as the need arises and ideally you would be directed to the next open and accessible shelter.  If you must evacuate, take important papers in a waterproof container, notify friends and family where you are headed, turn off electricity, water and gas and lock your home.  Take your pets or make boarding arrangements. Pet shelters are to be made available.  Likewise, provision for the disabled are to be made available.

Identification

You will need ID to re-enter the affected areas, so take your license or some form of ID showing that you do live in the affected area.  To prevent looting, re-entry tags for vehicles and wrist bracelets will be issued before you can return to your home.  The staging area for Lido Key will be in the Van Wezel parking lot, where you and your vehicle will be credentialed.   You will be directed to the Bridge, where there will be a police checkpoint before entering the causeway.

Tactical First-In teams will be on site post storm to begin damage assessments and clearing of debris.

If you are found in the area without proper credentialing, you may be arrested.   Looting post weather events has been known to occur.

Be informed, be prepared and be safe.

Bob Lifeso

LSPOA President