Even though the cold is the big weather story in Southwest Florida, Sarasota County is looking ahead and planning a series of flood workshops. The meetings are designed to be beneficial for residents, lenders and insurance and real estate agents about flood risks, zones, maps, regulations and mandatory insurance purchase requirements. All of the workshops will run at the same time (10:15a-12p) no matter the location so residents can plan ahead. The workshops start in January and through intermittently through March in Sarasota, Venice and North Port. The schedule for those three cities can be seen at wengradio.com. To see the full list of 2018 workshops or for more information, visit scgov.net/floodprotection.
Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota: Jan. 23, Feb. 13, May 8
Elsie Quirk Library, 100 Dearborn St., Englewood: Jan. 24, March 29
North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port: Jan. 30, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17
Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota: Feb. 15, April 4
Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice: Feb. 22, March 15
Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota: March 6
