LWR Community Emergency Response Team

The LWRWC General Meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2024, featured a presentation by the LWR Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT members Mike Resetarits, Tricia Bauer, Shaun and Bill Rogers and John Harkey provided invaluable advice on how to stay safe in spite of the ever-present threat of hurricanes and tropical storms.

LWR CERT was established in 2006 under a FEMA program as a volunteer organization of residents that receive special training to conduct safety inspections, provide first aid when first responders may be unable to reach everyone.

CERT has been told to prepare for an active hurricane season this year. The Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) at USF on their 2024 hurricane season predictions is predicting a particularly challenging year for Florida, particularly the Gulf of Mexico.

Mike stated that that most residents in LWR do not have to evacuate during a hurricane unless the government advises you to evacuate. He encouraged us to look at the guide “All-Hazards Disaster Planning Guide” that you can download at tampabayprepares.org. and prepare a Go bag of food, water, cash, and items for our pets too.

Mike stated that as a general rule we should always remember: “Hide from the Wind; Run from the Water.” He also advised that the 2024 hurricane season will most likely begin in mid-August and to avoid storm surge you only need to travel 10 miles inland.

Regarding the storm surge, Mike reported that it would take a 33-foot storm surge to flood LWR Town Hall. Mike said that he has spent too much time in the past few days reviewing the storm surge map of LWR, but the good news is that he could not find one house in LWR that was in an A, B or C evacuation zone. In 2024 the CAC is predicting 24 normal storms, 12 hurricanes with winds of +75mph, and 6 major hurricanes at 111+ mph winds. He indicated that residents should know when their house was built, as houses built in 2002 can withstand 110 mph winds; houses built between 2002-2012 can withstand 130 mph winds; and houses built after 2012 can withstand winds in excess of 150 mph.

Tricia Bauer invited all members to attend free educational seminars by registering at LWRCERT.org/events/and John Harkey shared that key information from their presentation is available on the LWR CERT website: LWRCERT.org. John reminded us that the CERT is comprised of neighbors helping neighbors; they have direct access to the Manatee County Disaster Response System and can report any safety or medical issues immediately.