Hurricane seminar and resident information

On Friday at town hall, hurricane preparedness was the theme. The discussion began with a Public Works Department presentation on citizen preparedness, storm history, potential impacts to the key, utility issues and impacts, post-storm recovery and debris-management responsibilities.
Next, a presentation by the Police Department followed, with information about evacuation orders and re-entry procedures.

Fire Department representatives also discussed pre-storm procedures and evacuation plans, along with post-storm emergency fire and medical response.
The Public Works and Planning Zoning & Building officials provided information about flood insurance, post-disaster recovery and permit procedures, local mitigation strategy, floodplain management plans and post-disaster hurricane mitigation grants.

Many guidelines are available on the town’s website, longboatkey.org, under “2012 Hurricane Season” at the top, left side of the page.
Residents can register for the town’s Code Red notification system, which provides updates about emergency situations by phone and email, through a link available on the town’s website.

Manatee and Sarasota county offices of emergency management each maintain a “People with Special Needs” registration of residents who require special care and/or may require transportation to a shelter. Manatee County residents can register by calling 749-3500; Sarasota County registration is available at 861-5000.