St. Armands

Residents Association

Island Re-Entry

After a hurricane evacuation, who is allowed back on St. Armands Key and in what order?  Currently, the City of Sarasota has no plan or process for this.  During hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, it went from "nobody is allowed onto the city's barrier islands" to "everybody is allowed onto the city's barrier islands".  

We feel that the city should give barrier island residents, business owners, and their designated responsible parties priority access to return to the islands to check on, secure, and begin cleaning and repairing their properties--before the general public is allowed access.  This system is already in place for the Town of Longboat Key, City of Holmes Beach, City of Bradenton Beach, and the City of Anna Maria.  Why can't the City of Sarasota do the same?

June 2, 2025

Herald-Tribune article:  ‘We will not be there to rescue people’: Hurricanes teach hard lessons for Manatee islands

From the article: 

City of Holmes Beach:  (Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer)

    • Residents need to heed evacuation orders, and to register in advance with their respective communities so they can return to their properties promptly following a storm 
    • The compounded damage makes it even more critical that access to the island be limited to residents, business owners and contractors with a clear purpose 
City of Bradenton Beach:  (Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby)
    • We have to keep the traffic down...Every time a car moves around those tractors, they stop working. That delays recovery. 
City of Anna Maria:  (City of Anna Maria, Mayor Mark Short)
    • The tags are essential for public safety and orderly access after a storm. 
    • Once we’re confident it’s safe, the tags help us let in property owners and business operators to assess damage. It’s not the time for sightseers. 

2025 Annual Member Survey

After an evacuation, do you think the City of Sarasota should give barrier island residents, business owners, and their designated responsible parties priority access to return to the islands--to check on, secure, and begin cleaning and repairing their properties--before the general public is allowed access?  (n=167)

Yes 99%

No 1%

Don't know/Not sure 0%


St. Armands Residents Association

P.O. Box 2482, Sarasota, FL  34230

e-mail us at: st.armands.residents.assn@gmail.com

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