Memorandum
Date: August 23, 2012
TO: Town Commission
FROM: Dave Bullock, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Tropical Storm Isaac – Update #1 – August 23, 2012 – 5:00 PM
Tropical Storm Isaac is currently projected to emerge off the coast of Cuba very early Monday morning as a tropical storm but could gain hurricane status as it gets out over open water in the Gulf of Mexico. The latest advisory anticipated the storm passing to the West of Longboat Key sometime early Tuesday morning although the storm’s intensity and track are not certain at this time.
Please be aware that this forecast track may change as it is still several days before Isaac might impact this area. Residents are advised to monitor this storm and take appropriate protective measures. Some of our residents and visitors may not have experienced tropical storm or hurricane conditions so we ask that you pay particularly close attention to this developing weather system.
Longboat Key emergency managements staff is coordinating with Sarasota and Manatee County Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. Conference calls will be taking place with the National Hurricane Center, as well as the State of Florida Department of Emergency Management. Updated information will be provided following those briefings.
All residents and businesses are encouraged to ensure their disaster plan is in place, have a pre-determined evacuation location, and to have adequate disaster supplies on hand. Please don’t forget to include your pets in your disaster planning. Please note that no decisions regarding evacuations have been made by Sarasota and Manatee County Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) at this time.
Updates regarding the storm and anticipated impacts, preparedness measures and any evacuation decisions will be posted to the Town’s website. The Town’s website, www.longboatkey.org also contains links to the National Hurricane Center, the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Manatee County EOC. There are also links regarding disaster planning, how to strengthen you home against hurricane damage, and convenient checklists to help prepare emergency supply kits.
If you are not registered as a PSN (people with special needs) and would need special assistance in the event of a hurricane evacuation, please contact Sarasota or Manatee Emergency management to register.