Sarasota County Emergency Services reported that in 2025 more than 370 community members joined Sarasota County for the first Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness event.

This year, the Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness event is back at Riverview High School on Saturday, April 11, to help you and your loved ones start your preparations.

Panelists from the National Hurricane Center and Florida Division of Emergency Management will answer hurricane preparedness questions.

Attendees can visit booths from Sarasota County Government and their community partners.

Learn more and register for the event at scgov.net/CommunityConversations.

A video recap of the 2025 event is below.

North Port, FL

6050 Porter Way, Sarasota, FL 34232

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2852626798419144/

Sarasota County to host Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness

Sarasota County Emergency Services will host a free “Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness” on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverview High School in Sarasota, in partnership with the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Sarasota County Emergency Management to help residents prepare as hurricane season begins June 1, with registration via Eventbrite.

Sarasota County Economic Outlook Combines Regional, Federal Reserve Insights

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County promoted its May 14 Annual Economic Outlook, pairing regional competitiveness insights from the Tampa Bay Partnership with a national outlook from the Federal Reserve and inviting business leaders to buy tickets and register online.

Third-quarter report cards now available

Third-quarter report cards are now available on the Focus Parent Portal, Sarasota County Schools said, with Reading, Writing and Mathematics at A+, Science described as "Great!!!" and History as "Keep it up."

Officials Urge Enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts

Sarasota County Emergency Services urges residents to keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on their phones, as WEAs warn of weather threats and could save lives, with more information at weather.gov/wrn/wea and sign-up at AlertSarasotaCounty.com.

Speakers announced for Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness

Sarasota County Emergency Services announced the lineup for the Saturday, April 11, Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness event, featuring Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief; Kevin Guthrie, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director; and Daniel Brown, National Hurricane Center Hurricane Specialist Unit Branch Chief, with Rich Collins moderating; registration is at scgov.net/CommunityConversations.

Deactivated phones can still call 9-1-1 in Sarasota

Sarasota County Emergency Services says deactivated cell phones can still dial 9-1-1, and calls from those devices do not transmit location data to the dispatch center, a factor that saves time in emergency response.

Sarasota County urges motorists to move over for emergency responders

Sarasota County Emergency Services urged motorists to move over for emergency responders with flashing lights, saying the practice is the law and protects responders, and to slow down to keep them safe, the advisory posted under #SRQCountyES.

Rays host Twins at Spirit Night in Sarasota

Sarasota County Schools Spirit Night with the Tampa Bay Rays is set for Friday, April 24 at 7:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field, with the Rays hosting the Minnesota Twins, offering discounted $25 lower-level tickets with $5 from each sale benefiting Sarasota County Schools; orders are due by April 22, tickets are required for ages 2 and up and must be purchased in advance via the MLB Ballpark App, and tickets are nonrefundable.

David Graham named SCS Cares of the Month

Sarasota County Schools named David Graham SCS Cares of the Month for creating a staffing portal that helps principals, Human Resources and district teams collaborate more efficiently to support schools across Sarasota County.