HOLMES BEACH – City leaders did not hold back in this year’s hurricane preparedness town hall meeting. In addition to offering resources to prepare for the best possible outcome, Police Chief Bill Tokajer also showed a mock video of the worst, Tampa Bay taking a direct hit from a Category 5 storm.
Over a dozen people plus city staff members and elected officials came out to the May 22 presentation hosted by the Holmes Beach police, code compliance and public works departments. The goal of the annual workshop is to help get property owners ready to face the rigors of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
This year’s season is predicted to be more active than average with 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, 5 of which are predicted to be major hurricanes – a Category 3 storm or higher. Tokajer presented the forecast from Colorado State to the group, noting that it only takes one storm to turn our way and wash over the barrier islands.
On the Saffir-Simpson Scale, a Category 1 storm has sustained wind speeds of 74-95 mph, a Category 2 storm has sustained wind speeds of 96-110 mph, a Category 3 storm has sustained wind speeds of 111-129 mph, a Category 4 storm has sustained wind speeds of 130-156 mph and a Category 5 storm has sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or more.
During his presentation, Tokajer primarily spoke on safety before, during and after a hurricane.
He noted that first responders are required to leave the Island once sustained wind speeds hit a certain level. The fire department must leave once sustained winds hit 45 mph to safely navigate their equipment over the bridge. EMS and the police leave once sustained wind speeds hit 55 mph.
Once an evacuation has been called and the storm approaches with enough force to send first responders to the mainland, Tokajer said that calling 911 will only put you on a list to be checked on after the storm safely passes. First responders will not be able to come out and provide assistance during the storm.
Once the storm passes, Tokajer said the city has its own “first in” team to check for structural damage, clear roads and look for downed power lines so the city’s residents and property owners don’t have to wait for Manatee County teams to make it to the Island.
Re-entry tags are available at the police station for city residents and are valid for five years.
He encouraged everyone to have a plan in case of evacuation and to go tens of miles away, not hundreds of miles. He also reminded people that while shelters are available in Manatee County they should be used as a refuge of last resort. And while the county does offer a medical needs shelter and transportation to the shelter for those who cannot drive on their own, those services are limited and anyone who thinks they may need the services should visit www.mymanatee.org/needs or call 311 for information.
Tokajer also reminded everyone to digitize records, prepare their homes for the storm including removing any outdoor furniture or tying it down, pack a hurricane kit with food and water for each member of your family and each pet for seven days, a first aid kit, blankets and other bedding if you need to go to a shelter, toys or games for children, comfort items including bedding and potty pads or other necessities for your pets and all of your medication. He also stressed adding cash to your hurricane kit, noting that if electricity isn’t working, debit and credit cards won’t work either.
Director of Public Works Sage Kamiya discussed what the age of their property means for property owners. He said that while a newer structure may be able to withstand higher wind speeds, an older one built to different building codes may have a lower maximum wind speed designation. He encouraged everyone to know the age of their home and to prepare it accordingly using hurricane shutters, sandbags and roof tie downs and other items to prevent damage from winds and flooding. He noted that sandbags, a maximum of 10 per property, are currently available by the pickleball courts at City Field and encouraged people to get them early, before a storm hits to avoid the rush or potentially not being able to get them at all. In the event of massive storm surge, he said that no sandbag will help keep water out of the house.
Mayor Judy Titsworth encouraged property owners to lift all appliances on the ground floor up by two feet to prevent damage from flooding. Kamiya also noted that all appliances should be unplugged before water begins to enter a structure.
A light pole at the skate park at City Field has recently received a new paint job. Kamiya said that the purpose of the paint is to show realistically what storm surge flooding looks like up to 9 feet or more in Holmes Beach. He said he hopes the pole will help people prepare accordingly for a storm and to reduce confusion from meteorologist predictions.
