We are pleased to have weathered Hurricane Idalia at our evacuation sites. We are now making our way back to the community for those residents who evacuated with us. Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of our residents and team members. While there may be a lot of debris and clean-up, we’re pleased that life should return to normal at our community soon.
Residents who evacuated on their own or with family members should follow the guidance of community administration about when to return to the community.
We thank all of the communities and their residents and team members who supported our evacuations: Westminster Palms and Westminster Suncoast in St. Petersburg, Poet’s Walk in Sarasota, Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, Westminster Towers in Orlando, and Westminster Winter Park and Westminster Baldwin Park.
Hurricane Idalia has moved past our area. However, we are still experiencing rain bands and high winds, and Sarasota County has not lifted the evacuation order for Zone A, which includes Jefferson Center. Therefore our community remains in evacuation status! Residents who have already left campus should remain in a safe place until the evacuation order is lifted. If you are on campus stay indoors as we are still experiencing tropical storm wind and rain. The office and front desk will not be opened until the evacuation order has been lifted.
Please be advised that residents who have chosen to stay in the building or who return before the evacuation order is lifted will be doing so at their own risk.
Jefferson Center is actively planning and preparing for the storm. Sarasota County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for certain low-lying areas, including our community. We are currently preparing to evacuate beginning today, August 29, 2023, by 4 p.m. Residents who evacuate may not return to our community until advised that it is safe to return home. We will continue to follow the recommendations of the local emergency-management authorities and the National Hurricane Center and continue to update with any new developments.
We are actively planning and preparing to shelter in place during the storm at this time. The safety of our residents and team members is our top priority. We are grateful to our dedicated employees for their hard work in supporting the continued safety and well-being of our residents.
We continue to monitor the course of Tropical Storm Idalia and follow the guidance of the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service. At this time, it is unclear what the impact will be or whether our community will be impacted. Please know that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety. We will provide updates as our plans develop and the storm’s track becomes clearer.
Our team members are working hard and following their emergency preparedness plans. As part of that plan, we will be providing ongoing updates as appropriate. Please help us with this effort by calling us only as needed.
