Be prepared with the Venice Hurricane Expo in May

The City of Venice is once again partnering with the Venice Gondolier Sun to hold a Home & Hurricane Expo on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Venice Community Center, as a public service prior to hurricane season from June through November. The Expo runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. If you are new to the area, this Expo should not be missed!

Speaker topics will include information gained and lessons learned from recent hurricanes, storm prep, the role of emergency services, stormwater/flooding, evacuation centers and the County transportation plan, common myths and misconceptions, and what to do following a hurricane.

Speaker schedule:

10 a.m., Venice Fire Chief Frank Giddens/VPD Lt. Louis White (speaking together)

10:30 a.m., Venice City Engineer Kathleen Weeden

Noon, Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi

1 p.m., ABC-7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan

The Venice Community Center, located at 326 Nokomis Ave. S. on the island, will have seating for 200 people to listen to speakers, and standing room for more. Vendors will be offering invaluable hurricane- and storm-related information, products and services, and raffles and other giveaways are planned. At the City of Venice table, there will be a raffle for three weather radios. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Interested in being a vendor? Limited spaces are available by calling 941-207-1220 by this Friday, April 26.

Be prepared for hurricane season 2024 and plan to attend this informative Expo!