County Safety Status: Red, Yellow and Green conditions

Hurricanes and other natural disasters can create widespread damage, leaving debris, downed trees, flooding, live power lines on the ground and damaged buildings.

Immediately following such disaster, many departments (including law enforcement, fire, emergency management and public works) respond to assess damage and help citizens. Communicating the level of damage and potential danger is imperative as citizens’ safety is our number one concern. Sarasota County utilizes a color-coded system (RED, YELLOW, GREEN) to indicate the level of damage, hazards and impact to services.

These colors will be used in Sarasota County’s emergency public communications to represent the safety status of the county. Heavily impacted areas where damage is extensive and services are limited will require the RED status.

As in Hurricane Irma, impacts to power, traffic lights, and downed trees may require larger areas of YELLOW; meaning take caution, be vigilant and careful when out on the roads. Finally, as power is restored, roads cleared, and traffic lights become operable, citizens will see the GREEN or all-clear status.

RED - Level of Danger: Unsafe. Emergency services may not be available. Extensive damage limiting travel. Citizen Action: Access may not be allowed, or limited, according to authorities having jurisdiction. If access is allowed, proper ID is required. Enter at your own risk.

YELLOW - Level of Danger: Limiting factors to include lack of power, trees and power lines down in areas. Traffic lights may be out. Potential damage to utilities such as water systems and wastewater. Citizen Action: Safety precautions required. General travel limited to essential needs.

GREEN - Level of Danger: No limiting factors. 

 

Storm Activation Risk Level Fact Sheet 2023

Hurricane Categories

Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale from Category 1 to Category 5, based on their sustained wind speed. The scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes of Category 3 or higher are considered major because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 are still dangerous and require preventive measures.

For more information, visit the National Weather Service website.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program helps income-eligible households meet various needs and provides emergency services. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households with home heating and cooling and associated impacts of disasters. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) annually provides grant funds to community action agencies, local governments, Indian tribes and non-profit agencies to provide specific program services for low-income families of Florida. These entities provide program services throughout the state.

For more information on these programs and to apply, please contact the Community Action Agency that services the county in which you live by utilizing the below contact information: 

Alachua

• Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (352) 373-7667

Baker

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (904) 362-8052

Bay

• Bay County Council on Aging, Inc. (LIHEAP and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 769-3468

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 670-2073

Bradford

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Brevard

• Brevard County Department of Housing and Human Services (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (321) 633-1951 
• Phone: (321) 633-2076  WAP

Broward

• Broward County Department of Human Services, Community Action Agency (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (954) 357-5025
• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Calhoun

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 674-5067

Charlotte

• Charlotte County Department of Human Services (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (941) 833-6500

• Step Up Suncoast, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (941) 827-0188 Ext. 7806

Citrus

• Citrus County Division of Housing Services, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (424) 389-4290

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 796-1425
• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 796-1427

Clay

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (904) 362-8052
• St. Johns Housing Partnership, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (904) 824-0902

Collier

• Agricultural and Labor Program Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Immokalee: (239) 657-7272
• County: (239) 262-4877

• Immokalee Multicultural Multipurpose Community Action Agency (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (239) 657-2213

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Columbia

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Desoto

• Desoto County Board of Commissioners (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (863) 993-4858

• Centro-Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Dixie

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Duval

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (904) 362-8052

Escambia

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (844) 356-8139

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 607-2088

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Flagler

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (LIHEAP, CSBG and WAP)
• Phone: (904) 362-8052

Franklin

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 670-2073  

Gadsden

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043 

Gilchrist

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Glades

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (863) 983-2774

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Gulf

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 229-1717

Hamilton

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc.
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Hardee

• Step Up Suncoast, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (941) 827-0188

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Hendry

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Clewiston: (863) 956-3491

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Hernando

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 796-1425

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 796-1427

Highlands

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (863) 247-3001

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Hillsborough

• Hillsborough Health and Social Services (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• (813) 272-6770

• Mid Florida Community Services (WAP)
• (352) 796-1427

Holmes

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 547-4921

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Indian River

• Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (772) 562-4177

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Jackson

• Jackson County Senior Citizens Org. Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (850) 263-4650

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 638-4520 Ext. 3 or 4

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Jefferson

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 997-2702

Lafayette

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Lake

• Lake Community Action Agency, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 357-5550

• Lake Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (352) 602-4150

• Lake Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 602-4488

Lee

• Lee County Department of Human Services (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (239) 533-7900

• Centro-Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 ext. 236

Leon

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Levy

• Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 493-1734

• Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 373-7667 

Liberty

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 674-5067

Madison

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Manatee

• Step Up Suncoast, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (941) 827-0188
• WAP ext. 7806

Marion

• Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 732-3008

• Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 373-7667

Martin

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (863) 956-3491

• St. Lucie County Department of Human Services (CSBG)
• Phone: (772) 462-1777

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Miami-Dade

• Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (786) 469-4640

• Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (305) 246-0357

• Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency (WAP)
• Phone: (786) 469-4730

Monroe

• Centro-Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. (CSBG)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738,Ext. 236

• Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (LIHEAP and WAP)
• Phone: (305) 292-4408

Nassau

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (904) 261-0801

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (904) 398-7472

Okaloosa

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Crestview: (850) 306-1134
• Ft. Walton: (850) 200-4425

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Okeechobee

• St. Lucie County Department of Human Services (CSBG)
• Phone: (772) 462-1777

• Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (863) 357-2240

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Orange

• Orange County Community Action Division / Housing and Community Development Division (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (407) 836-7429

• Orange County Community Action Division / Housing and Community Development Division (CSBG)
• Phone: (407) 836-9333

• Osceola County Council on Aging, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (407) 593-1997

Osceola

• Osceola County Council on Aging, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (407) 846-8532

• Osceola County Council on Aging, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (407) 593-1639 

Palm Beach

• Palm Beach County Community Action, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (561) 355-4792

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Pasco

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 796-1425

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 796-1427

Pinellas

• Pinellas County Urban League, Inc. (LIHEAP and WAP)
• Phone: (727) 327-0977

• Pinellas Opportunity Council (CSBG)
• Phone: (727) 327-2081

Polk

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (863) 247-3001

• Mid Florida Community Services (WAP)
• Phone:(352) 796-1427

Putnam

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (386) 385-3954

St. Johns

• Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (904) 824-0978

• St. Johns Housing Partnership, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (904) 824-0902

St. Lucie

• Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (772) 461-7788

• St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, Housing & Community Services Department (CSBG)
• Phone: (772) 462-1777

• Centro Campesino-Farmworker Center, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (305) 245-7738 Ext. 236

Santa Rosa

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 981-0036

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Sarasota

• Sarasota Health and Human Services (CSBG)
• Phone: (941) 954-4673

• The Salvation Army (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (941) 954-4673

• Step Up Suncoast, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (941) 827-0188 Ext. 7806

Seminole

• City of Sanford (LIHEAP)
• Phone: (407) 688-5166 or (407) 688-5167 (Closed on Fridays)

• Seminole County Community Assistance (CSBG)
• Phone: (407) 665-2300

• Meals on Wheels, Etc. (WAP)
• Phone: (407) 333-8877

Sumter

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (352) 769-1425

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 796-1427

Suwannee

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Taylor

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Union

• Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 362-4115

• Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 222-2043

Volusia

• Volusia County Community Assistance Division (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (386) 736-5956

• Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (352) 796-1427

Wakulla

• Capital Area Community Action Agency (LIHEAP, CSBG, and WAP)
• Phone: (850) 926-3122

Walton

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc (LIHEAP and CSBG)
• Phone: (850) 892-3615

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817

Washington

• Tri-County Community Council, Inc
• Phone: (850) 638-4520Ext. 3 or 4

• Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (WAP)
• Phone: (850) 679-4817