Sarasota County officials are reviewing their emergency response capabilities as hurricane season continues, nearly one year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced the largest evacuation in county history.

The back-to-back storms displaced 9,400 residents and their pets to county evacuation centers and generated 2.4 million cubic yards of debris that required 90 days to clear. The massive cleanup effort strained emergency services and highlighted areas for improvement.

“We actually added a position in emergency management for a debris management officer,” said Rich Collins, the county’s emergency services director, describing one key change implemented since last year’s storms.

County officials have also focused on educating residents about insurance coverage. Sandra Tapfumane, a county official, said staff spoke with over 5,000 residents about the importance of both homeowner and flood insurance as “the first line of defense to build your recovery plan.”

The county is expanding contracts and partnerships to improve future recovery efforts. Officials stress that residents should remain vigilant, noting that being safe during previous storms doesn’t guarantee safety in future ones.

With hurricane season running through November 30, county leaders emphasize that the community is currently at peak risk for storm activity and must maintain preparedness.

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(Image credit: Andrew Warfield)

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