Sarasota County hurricane guide¶

Sarasota County Emergency Management runs hurricane planning, evacuation orders, and evacuation centers for the county. Storm surge is the biggest danger on the barrier islands, such as Siesta Key and Longboat Key, and in low-lying coastal areas, where roads can flood well before a storm arrives. If you live in a mobile home or RV, the county says you must evacuate. For emergency management questions, call 311.

What to know in Sarasota County¶

• As a tropical storm approaches, Sarasota County's drawbridges open less often so cars can evacuate. Later the bridges stay down and do not reopen until it is safe.
• After a storm, the county uses Red, Yellow, and Green to show how safe each area is. In Red areas, access may be blocked or limited, and you will need proper ID to get in. Listen to local media for re-entry information.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Official alerts and information¶

• Alert Sarasota County: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Website.
• Sarasota County Hurricane Preparedness: The county's official hurricane information page. Website.
• Emergency Preparedness Guides: The county's printable guide, in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian. Website.

Evacuation zones¶

Sarasota County calls its evacuation zones levels. There are five, Level A through Level E. When the county orders a level to evacuate, everyone in that level must leave. Do not decide based on the storm's category, because Category 1 and 2 storms often bring dangerous storm surge. If you live in a mobile home or RV, you must evacuate.

Look up your evacuation zone

Evacuation centers¶

When evacuations are announced, Sarasota County opens all of its evacuation centers at the same time. The list below is for planning only. Never go to a center until officials announce it is open, and check the county's evacuation centers page for status. Centers are a last resort, with about 20 square feet per person and no bedding, cots, or blankets, so bring your own. Once you check in, you cannot leave and come back. Every general population center accepts dogs and cats in a crate.

Official list of open evacuation centers

These are locations the county has used or designated as evacuation centers. They are listed for planning only.

Help to evacuate¶

• Sarasota County Medical Needs Program: For residents with medical needs who will need transportation and a medically dependent evacuation center. Apply in advance through the Florida Special Needs Registry, the county form, or by calling 311. You must bring a caregiver. The county calls registered people 24 to 48 hours before high winds to ask whether they need a ride, so decide when you are called. Phone: 941-861-5000. Website.
• Transportation to evacuation centers: Free rides for people who cannot get to an evacuation center on their own. Pre-register at least 48 hours before landfall. The online form closes as a storm approaches, so call 311 to check whether rides are still available. You can also park at a marked rally point and call 311 for a ride. Up to two bags per person, and cats and dogs must be in a carrier. Phone: 311. Website.
• Pets at evacuation centers: All general population evacuation centers take domestic dogs and cats. Bring a crate, food, water, medicine, vaccination records, and an ID collar with rabies tag. The county does not shelter livestock. Website.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Radio stations¶

Emergency Alert System roles come from the Florida state EAS plan, last revised in April 2021.

NOAA Weather Radio¶

A weather radio turns itself on for warnings, even in the middle of the night. Set it to this frequency.

TV stations¶

Official forecasts¶

• National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings. Phone: 813-645-2323. Website.
• National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris¶

• Florida Power & Light (FPL): Also written 1-800-4-OUTAGE. Report an outage online or by phone. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 1-800-468-8243. Website.
• Sarasota County Utilities sewer emergencies: Sewer leaks, backups, and emergencies for county utility customers. If your city provides your sewer service, see your city's page below for its number. Phone: 941-861-6790. Website.
• Garbage and storm debris (unincorporated county): Expect delays or suspended collection before and after a storm. Inside Sarasota, Venice, North Port, or Longboat Key, contact your city or town. Phone: 311. Website.

After the storm: help for displaced residents¶

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Where to start¶

• Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1: Heart of Florida United Way answers 211 for the Orlando area and for many other Florida counties. 24 hours a day. Phone: 407-839-4357. Website.

Housing and shelter¶

• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers: After a federal declaration, these centers help you apply for aid in person. Use the locator to find the nearest one. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.

Food¶

• All Faiths Food Bank: Food bank for Sarasota and DeSoto counties; its site has a Food Finder page. Phone: 941-379-6333. Website.
• Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): State food benefits after a declared disaster. Dates and locations are posted when it opens. Website.

Money, work and insurance¶

• DisasterAssistance.gov: Apply for FEMA aid after a federal declaration. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.
• Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline: Free help with insurance claims and disputes. Phone: 1-877-693-5236. Website.
• SBA disaster loans: Low interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses after a declared disaster. Phone: 800-659-2955. Website.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance: For people who lose work because of a declared disaster. Website.

Legal help¶

• Bay Area Legal Services: Free civil legal help for eligible residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Toll free: 800-625-2257. Phone: 813-232-1343. Website.
• Florida Disaster Relief Hotline: Free legal help for disaster survivors, switched on after a storm. Phone: 1-866-550-2929. Website.

Emotional support¶

• Central Florida Behavioral Health Network: State-contracted managing entity that funds and coordinates public mental health and substance use care in its region; it does not treat people directly. Website.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text, any time. Phone: 988.

Relief organizations¶

• American Red Cross Southwest Florida Chapter (South Florida Region): Local Red Cross chapter that runs shelters and gives emergency help after disasters and home fires. Fort Myers office. Sarasota office: 941-379-9300. For disaster help at any hour, call 1-800-733-2767. Phone: 239-278-3401. Website.

Scams, contractors and price gouging¶

• Price gouging hotline (Florida Attorney General): Report price gouging during a declared state of emergency. Phone: 1-866-966-7226. Website.
• Contractor license check (DBPR): Check any contractor's license before you pay for repairs. Phone: 850-487-1395. Website.

Cities and towns¶

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

Related guides¶

• Should I evacuate?
• What to expect at a hurricane shelter
• Hurricane supply list
• After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
• Insurance claims and disaster aid

Sources¶

Checked on September 30, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.

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