SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Armands Circle wasn’t bustling as usual Wednesday. Some businesses were closed ahead of Hurricane Helene. Others closed early to finish up last minute preparations ahead of the storm.
The greatest concern for folks along coastal Sarasota is the storm surge threat tied to this hurricane. The storm surge risk in the area is between four and seven feet. Many businesses dealt with water intrusion just a few months back.
Hurricane Helene: Sarasota County shelters, evacuation orders
“I got flooded a few times,” said Max Onder, owner of Karavan Treasures from Turkey. “It is very frustrating, but it seems like it is getting worse every time. I think the water damage is one of the worst things.”
Onder has owned his shop on the circle for the last two and a half years but has owned his business for decades. After dealing with flooding in the past, this time around, he’s skipping the sandbags and using tape to seal off the windows and doors in his store, front and back…