EVER READY

Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in the fall of 2004 destroyed the outer docks and boats at the Fort Pierce City Marina. The Lady Diane from Philadelphia and others lie tipped on their sides and the water is filled with debris. FORT PIERCE CITY MARINA

Hurricane preparation will keep you safe — and sane

BY SUSAN BURGESS

A man gets his airboat ready to navigate the flood after a hurricane. Airboats skim along the surface of the water. ST. LUCIE COUNTY

The 2024 hurricane season is forecast to be the worst seen in a while, which has put Floridians on edge. That said, even coastal residents aren’t helpless. Emergency managers across the Treasure Coast have tips to help people stay physically safe. And as a mental-health benefit: The best way to take some of the fear out of facing a storm is to be ready for it.

“Preparedness efforts will help in all hazards planning — and planning now will make a big difference in helping you stay calm,” Erick Gill, spokesman for St. Lucie County’s emergency management officials, says.

“You have to respect Mother Nature and understand the force she has and take heed,” is Fort Pierce Marina Manager Dean Kubitschek’s advice. He should know. The outer docks and boats at that marina were smashed to bits by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. They both made landfall on the Treasure Coast, three weeks and only a few miles apart, in 2004. While the inner basin of the marina was relatively unscathed, the docks on the Indian River Lagoon were torn apart. The boats tied to them were piled on top of each other, sunken and trashed. It was a nightmarish scene. It wasn’t until 2017 that the docks were fully replaced and protected by manmade islands.

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