GULFPORT, Fla. — The past hurricane seasons have brought surprises to even some of the most seasoned Gulfport residents, so this year, first responders are being even more proactive.

Tropical Storm Eta, in 2020, ripped nearly a dozen boats from their moorings, sending them into the shore.

What You Need To Know

  •  Gulfport police ask residents who live on boats to have anchors, safety gear, and storm plan

  •  Mariners asked to check condition of lines to avoid boats breaking free during storms

  •  SAFETY ALERTS: FROM ALERT PINELLAS

  • MORE: STORM SEASON 2024

Hurricane Idalia in 2023 brought a number of calls for help into the emergency operations center at the height of the storm from boaters wanting to be rescued.

Now, ahead of the start of the 2024 hurricane season, first responders want to make sure that Gulfport residents who live on their boats are prepared for the worst.

Sgt. Rob Burkhart with the Gulfport Police Department says ahead of an incoming storm, he goes boat to boat to check in with residents and asks them if they plan to evacuate.

“We can’t force people off their boats,” Burkhart said.

While some boaters evacuate ahead of a storm, others choose to stay. Burkhart says in those situations he warns the residents about the risk of riding a storm out on the water.

“Once we reach 50 miles per hour sustained winds, we’re going to worry about our own safety and we’re going to shelter,” he said.

During Hurricane Idalia last year, Burkhart said the police department received a number of 911 calls from boaters in Boca Ciega Bay, despite the warnings they gave to those residents.

“I was working the night shift, and we sat there all night taking phone calls from people who were out in the storm and we had to tell them I’m sorry we can’t do anything until the storm passes,” he said.

To prepare for a storm, Burkhart says he goes out on the water and takes a mental census of which boats are occupied in order to better help law enforcement respond to emergencies when it’s safe to do so. He also visually checks moorings and anchor lines, to make sure that each boat is prepared for the storm so they can avoid boats cutting free and injuring others or getting beached on the shoreline.

“If you think your boat is going to survive, it’s just a matter of time until the right storm comes along and it doesn’t,” he said.

George Cavanaugh has been living on his boat part-time for the last two years. He says he decided to stay on his vessel during a strong unnamed storm in December 2023, but quickly regretted that decision.

“The storm wasn’t powerful enough for me to evacuate, but then the squalls came up and I wish I did,” he said. “I’ve learned really quick to respect Mother Nature.”

The city of Gulfport is holding its annual hurricane seminar on Thursday, May 30, at 6 p.m. at the Catherine Hickman Theater. The event is open to the public.

Emergency management is asking Pinellas County residents to sign up for safety alerts ahead of the start of hurricane season.