Amy Gonzales and her family hunkered down in Rotonda West for Hurricane Helene.
While there were sightings of a massive snake slithering around the neighborhood and even an alligator in the Gonzales’ driveway, there weren’t a lot of worries.
“We are feeling very blessed to have missed the damage, and our hearts are with the ones in the path,” Gonzales said.
North Port resident Kim Parks drove her vehicle to the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, where she works, for higher ground.
It’s common to see her providing updates on any major storm through social media, where she works hard to be funny, but her postings were serious about the warnings being given out on the storm — she calls it the “Barbie News Network.”
“I try to entertain, but at the same time give some real info,” Parks said. “I’ll be glad when it’s over.”
With the help of sandbags, Parks is “hoping for the best.”
Dana Lutz and her family also hunkered down in Rotonda West.
She said she’s been happy to see so many informational and public safety posts on social media throughout Thursday.
“Thankfully, we are OK,” Lutz said. “I have seen lots of updates about road closures and high waters, so I am home and staying here.”
Lutz’ word of advice is to heed authorities in times of crisis or disaster.
“I wish people would listen and stay home,” Lutz said. “They feel the need to go out and see it first hand, but that’s when accidents happen, and that puts emergency personnel at risk.”
Liz Barker, newly elected Sarasota County School Board District 2 chair, said she and her family are hunkering down in Sarasota County as Hurricane Helene approaches.
Despite reports of Venice and North Port residents losing power already, Barker said Clark Road residents are feeling little effects.
“We are pretty boring out here,” Barker said.
Lisa Hassler, of Venice, chose to embody the weather through a dark and stormy drink with her husband on their porch.
Hassler said the family took a golf cart ride around the city to visit family around Venice before conditions worsened.
“Our beach access has tall, strong waves coming in with some wood post debris bobbing in it,” Hassler said.
While the family prepared for the worst, Hassler said, her worry lies most with her parents who live on the water near Crow’s Nest. Water has already encroached their steps, Hassler said.
As a beekeeper, Hassler prepared her furry friends for the storm by strapping the beehives together and providing space around it to withstand tropical storm weather.
Just like most Floridians today, Hassler said the bees will stay hunkered down inside until Hurricane Helene passes.
“As soon as they are able to fly again, they will be out and about!” Hassler said.
Tom Edwards, Sarasota School Board member, said he was staying dry amid the windy weather approaching Venice.
The district official offered his thanks for the school staff who volunteered their time to help man the county’s shelters.
More than 230 people and dozens of pets were being housed in area shelters on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m grateful for our administrators and staff that run our shelters and provide relief for our community,” Edwards said. “They do it with such grace.”
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