AMI LOCALS HURRICANE CHECKLIST

When hurricanes threaten Anna Maria Island, it is imperative that you adhere to the instructions of AMI Locals and local authorities. If/when time permits, each vacation rental guest will be notified as to what they should do.

In the event of a hurricane, AMI Locals advises all guests of the following:

·       When a hurricane watch is issued, you should begin preparations for possible evacuation. AMI Locals will monitor the storm along with local authorities and the National Hurricane Center. When the probability of a hit to the West Coast of Florida becomes likely, Manatee County will issue a MANDATORY EVACUATION. Evacuation is required whenever a mandatory evacuation is issued by Manatee County officials. You should pack all belongings, including food, and evacuate immediately. Neither AMI Locals nor the vacation rental homeowner will be responsible for any items you may leave behind.

·       Plan your evacuation route. The Manatee County Evacuation Map is a great resource. View our evacuation tips below for more information on evacuating.

·       Upon leaving Anna Maria Island, you may either stay inland at a hotel/motel or return home. Keep in mind that the first people to evacuate will get the closest hotel/motel rooms and avoid traffic congestion. The longer you wait, the further you'll have to travel to find accommodations. After the storm passes, you may call our office or local authorities to see if you can return. If so, we are glad to have you come back and enjoy the rest of your vacation. View our evacuation tips below for more information about returning to Anna Maria Island after a hurricane has passed.

·       There will be NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS FOR VOLUNTARY HURRICANE EVACUATIONS.  Therefore, we suggest you consider Travel Insurance to secure your vacation investment and eliminate your financial risk. This means that no refunds will be given either by AMI Locals or the homeowner if you either buy or refuse to buy insurance. Please consider Travel Insurance, which will reimburse you for lost vacation time, to avoid this risk.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND HURRICANE EVACUATION TIPS

PREPARE A PERSONAL EVACUATION PLAN

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several options - a friend's home in another town, a hotel in a nearby town or a shelter. If you are vacationing on Anna Maria Island and need to evacuate, remember there will be many other people evacuating as well. Early planning could make a big difference!

Anna Maria Island has two evacuation routes from the island: Manatee Avenue Bridge, and Cortez Rd Bridge. Both are clearly marked. You can expect to encounter traffic congestion and several hours of waiting before exiting the area. The sooner you leave, the less congestion you will cause and encounter.

If you're staying in the city of Anna Maria or the city of Holmes Beach, on the northern side of the island:

·       Head SOUTH on Palm/Gulf Drive, then:
Head EAST on Manatee Avenue W, (64) to reach the mainland 

If you’re staying in the city of Bradenton Beach or the city of Holmes Beach, or the southern side of the island:

·     Head NORTH on Gulf Drive N, then:
Head EAST on Cortez Rd W  to reach the mainland

WHEN EVACUATING, DO NOT FORGET THESE ITEMS:

·       Prescription medications and medical supplies

·       Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows if available

·       Bottled water, battery-operated radio & extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight

·       Car keys and maps

·       Any documents you may need, such as your driver's license, credit cards, etc.

Listen to NOAA weather radio, local radio, the Weather Channel or national news if possible. Pay attention to local officials and if advised to evacuate, do so immediately. The roads will be getting busy and the earlier you leave, the less congestion you will deal with.

RETURNING TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND AFTER A HURRICANE

After the storm has passed, do not return to the area until re-entry has been advised by local officials and AMI Locals. Time is needed to assess storm damage and begin clean-up. Conditions in the area could include no electricity, inadequate gasoline and food supplies, contaminated water, impassable roadways and damaged houses.

For any storm-related questions, you may email us at  guestservices@amilocals.com 
We will do our best to answer all emails received. However, please keep in mind that our ability to answer emails will be weather-dependent.

RE-ENTRY STAGES FOR RETURNING TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Stage 1: Critical need personnel identified by special permit issued by the Municipal Mayors and the Chairman of the Manatee County Control Group.

Stage 2: Permanent residents and essential personnel for critical businesses with a Dare County driver's license, or a current Manatee County tax receipt.

Stage 3: Non-resident property owners and non-resident employees of non-critical businesses identified by a solid color permit or a current Manatee County tax receipt.

Stage 4: General public and visitors. No re-entry pass is needed.

WHEN DO HURRICANES OCCUR?

Hurricane season lasts from June 1st until November 30th each year. Rarely, there have been instances where storms formed in May and December, but this is not typical.

WHERE DO HURRICANES OCCUR?

Hurricanes can form almost anywhere in the Tropical Atlantic Basin from the West Coast of Africa near the Cape Verde Islands to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. There are several prime areas where development can occur depending on the time of year and necessary environmental conditions. The most common places for hurricanes to develop in the Atlantic Basin include:

·       The Gulf of Mexico: With water temperatures ranging from 85-90° during hurricane season, this is a very favorable region for hurricane development. Hurricanes from this region generally move into the Gulf Coast states from Texas to Florida. 

·       The Western Caribbean: Favorable upper winds make this area a hotspot for hurricane development during the season. Its cousins, the Eastern and Central Caribbean, are usually not favorable areas due to hostile upper-level winds. Hurricanes from this region generally move into the Gulf Coast area, or along the East Coast.

·       Cape Verde Islands: The granddaddy of hurricane hotspots, this is the most common area for hurricane development starting in August, when water temperatures become warm enough to support tropical formation. Hurricanes from this region generally travel west towards the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HURRICANE WATCH AND A HURRICANE WARNING?

·       A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.

·       A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND A HURRICANE?

·       Tropical Depression (winds up to 39 mph): Rough seas, small craft warnings. Barometric pressure is estimated at 29.73". 

·       Tropical Storm (winds 39 - 73 mph): Heavy seas, capsizing of smaller vessels, flooding of low areas, heavy rain. Storm surge is less than 4' above normal. Barometric pressure is less than 29.53". 

·       Hurricane Category 1 (winds 74 - 95 mph): Light damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes, poorly constructed signs. Some coastal flooding with minor pier damage. Storm surge is generally 4-5' above normal. Barometric pressure is between 28.94" and 29.53". 

·       Hurricane Category 2 (winds 96 - 110 mph): Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down. Storm surge is generally 6-8' above normal. Barometric pressure is between 28.50" and 28.91". 

·       Hurricane Category 3 (winds 111 - 130 mph): Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland. Storm surge is generally 9-12' above normal. Barometric pressure is between 27.91" and 28.47". 

·       Hurricane Category 4 (winds 131 - 155 mph): More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. Tornado threat inland. Storm surge is generally 13-18' above normal. Barometric pressure is between 27.17" and 27.88". 

·       Hurricane Category 5 (winds 155 mph and greater): Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures. Severe Flooding with major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required. Storm surge is generally greater than 18' above normal. Barometric pressure is below 27.17".

WHAT IS THE EYE OF A HURRICANE?

This is the small area of clear weather that is denoted by calm winds and even sunny skies. It is the center of the lowest pressure within the hurricane.

WHAT IS THE EYEWALL?

This is the "wall" of the "eye" of the storm and is where the most severe weather and highest sustained winds are generally reported. It is the absolute last place you want to be in a hurricane.

WHAT IS STORM SURGE?

This is the term for the large dome of water that accompanies the landfall of a hurricane. It is responsible for 90% of all deaths that occur.