Sarasota County is a "Storm Ready County" and during an actual emergency or threatening weather please follow the instructions of the Emergency Services Chief. During a time of emergency, the county’s primary duty is to ensure public safety. In case of a flood, county resources are directed toward evacuating residents as necessary, responding to police, fire, and medical emergencies, maintaining utility services, providing traffic control, pumping flooded streets and providing sandbags.

What you can do to prepare

• Know the risk.
• 10 inches of rainfall in 24 hours is equivalent to a 100-year flood event.
• Residents in all zones - low, moderate and high - have suffered structural flood damage.
• Regular homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance to protect your home and contents.
• Do not wait until a storm is approaching ... it takes 30 days to activate a flood insurance policy.
• Replace the batteries in your flashlights and portable radio and store these emergency supplies in water tight plastic bags.
• Have a supply of sandbags, plastic sheeting, plywood and tools ready for waterproofing of doors and openings.
• Post emergency numbers near the telephone.
• Discuss emergency plans with your family.

If flooding is present or imminent

• Stay informed about weather conditions.
• Use the radio (tune to 1450 AM or 970 AM) as a reliable source of information and instruction.
• Make sure your family and pets are safe.
• Elevate valuable household possessions off the floor.
• Turn around don't drown – you could become stranded or trapped.
• Report downed power lines, leaking gas lines or blocked storm drains to the county immediately at 941-861-5000.
• Be ready to evacuate if directed by emergency personnel.