New Sarasota Hurricane Evacuation Maps Released

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota County has rolled out updated evacuation maps ahead hurricane season 2017’s official June 1 start. With that in mind, the county is asking all residents to take look to see if their zones have changed in case a storm prompts the need for evacuations.

"It is extremely important for all residents and business owners to understand their evacuation level and the vulnerability of their home or business to storm surge," Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane said in a statement. "Even if residents checked their zone last year they are advised to check it again due to this 2017 update."

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The new maps were provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. They were created using the Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes, or SLOSH, model created by the National Hurricane Center, the county reported.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are capable of producing strong winds that can push seawater ashore. This “storm surge” has the potential to be deadly. The maps are designed to ensure those in areas that may be affected by storm surge are evacuated before the water rolls onshore.

Hurricane evacuation zones are classified using the letters A through E. Areas not included in evacuation zones are declared “outside of the evacuation area” or N/A on the maps. Storm surge inundation heights, a county media release explained, range from ground level to 32 feet. Evacuation Zone A is considered “lower” than Evacuation Zone E.

To check if a home or business is in an evacuation zone under the new maps, visit Sarasota County online.

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Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center