|
“Be Prepared”
As the next Hurricane Season approaches, area residents will see and hear lots of information related to storm preparation and cleanup. Please don’t ignore this information. Much of it is new, or if it’s not new, it is being newly applied. Until last Fall, our area had not been directly hit by a hurricane in many, many years. As a result, most of us developed our own situational response. We need to be aware that our towns and other municipalities have adopted their own regulations. If we live, work, rent, or own in those areas, we will also be subject to the regulations.
A “Mandatory Evacuation” means that if you do not evacuate, you will not have access to police, fire, or emergency medical personnel. No stores, restaurants, or shops will be open.
All of those people will also be evacuating, so essentially, you are on your own. The town will issue a day and time by which you are supposed to evacuate, but don’t wait until the deadline. Get out a day or two ahead of that time.
In addition, if a Mandatory Evacuation is issued, Manatee and Sarasota Counties will likely disconnect power and water to the barrier islands, which include Longboat Key. The reason for this is simple: Damage caused to the barrier islands’ utilities (with the water and electrical systems running) can cause significant damage to the power and water grids on the mainland. Therefore, the counties are not going to risk it. They will disconnect our utilities to minimize the risk for their residents on the mainland. Again, if a Mandatory Evacuation is issued for Longboat Key, water and power will almost certainly be disconnected for an indefinite period of time. (And, by the way, our town’s officials don’t have any influence on when utilities will be reconnected. That decision is in the hands of the mainland officials.)
Also, in relation to water shutoff, when the water is turned back on, the island will be under a mandatory 72-hour boil notice. This is not a “maybe” scenario. This is for sure. The water system, when it is reconnected to the island, must repressurize. When it does, the water could be carrying harmful bacteria since the water was stagnant in the pipes for a period of time. This is for our protection. A boil notice will be issued when water is reconnected to Longboat Key.
And last, if you do not have your LBK reentry sticker, please get it as soon as possible. (Instructions and the link are provided further down in this newsletter.) When you try to return to the island following an evacuation, your vehicle must have a reentry sticker on the front glass, or you will very likely be turned away at the bridges. In addition, the town has established tiered levels of reentry, and as everyone learned last year, if you try to return to the island before your tier is allowed, you will be turned away.
As a huge favor to me (not that you owe me, but if you feel guilty, then I’m okay with that), please follow the rules posted by your community. If you are a resident or renter on Longboat Key, make sure you register for the “Alert Longboat Key” notifications. These notifications will provide you with constant, updated information about the situation. Anyone can register, and it is free. (It wouldn’t hurt to have a family member living off the island to receive the notices, also.) Folks can register for “Alert Longboat Key” by following this link: https://member.everbridge.net/398164943175763/login
Thanks, everyone! Throughout the summer, your Chapel is going to do its part by helping each other to prepare in case of an emergency on the island. We won’t be trying to scare you. Instead, we are trying to help protect you and your neighbors, all because we love you!
June has begun, and so has the 2025 Hurricane Season. Maybe we should have a margarita party and celebrate our unenjoyment together! (Or maybe a fajita party with iced tea…I’m good with either!)
| 
