Seniors moved to hotels and another retirement community at Palmer Ranch.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: October 9, 2024
Host: Plymouth Harbor is one of Sarasota’s biggest and oldest retirement communities. Because it is located in an area vulnerable to flooding, it had to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez has the details.
Ramon Lopez: The iconic Plymouth Harbor is located at 700 John Ringling Blvd., between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands. And residents had just returned to Plymouth Harbor last week. The retirement community was successfully evacuated after Hurricane Helene struck two weeks ago. But it’s déjà vu all over again.
So what do you do with all the senior citizens, some with medical issues, as they are forced to leave the retirement community yet again in the face of Milton, a dangerous hurricane with the potential to become one of Florida’s most damaging and costly hurricanes.
The nearly 17-acre property includes the 25-story Plymouth Harbor Tower, which rivals the Ritz Carlton as the tallest building in the city of Sarasota.
Groundbreaking took place in 1964, and residents first moved in two years later. The tower is divided into nine living areas of three floors each, called ‘colonies’. Additional smaller buildings were added: the Northwest Garden, North Garden, East Garden and West Garden. Plymouth Harbor currently has 250 independent living residences, plus 30 assisted living spots, an equal number of memory care quarters, and 51 nursing home rooms for patients.
So it’s no small feat to empty out the sprawling retirement community in the face of another hurricane. Consider Hurricane Helene a dress rehearsal for Milton and case study for others to learn from.
Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead had a plan in place for such a contingency. He has a standing arrangement with the Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, another senior living community. The Glenridge found accommodations for Plymouth Harbor’s medical needy.
A number of his independent living residents are snowbirds and were away from Sarasota. The rest found hotel rooms or stayed with family and friends while exiled from Plymouth Harbor because of Helene.
This time around, Weatherhead prepared for a Tuesday, Oct. 8 evacuation in the afternoon. His staff was able to find hotel accommodations for 89 of his independent living residents. But the senior citizens were placed four people per room, two per bed, as there was limited capacity available.
He believes hotels are a better option than community shelters, despite the tight quarters.
“While we have great empathy for everyone’s particular situation, we will be unable to accommodate personal requests,” Weatherhead said in a message to residents. “We are becoming overwhelmed with numerous emails and phone calls requesting special consideration. I respectfully ask for your understanding as we are putting all of our attention into ensuring housing for all.”
He added: “If you are able to make your own arrangements, you will be assisting the community by self-evacuating.”
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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