SUN PHOTOS BY GREG MARTIN, gmartin@sun-herald.com

Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County's emergency management director, explains the danger of storm surge during a hurricane expo in Punta Gorda Saturday.

HERALD PHOTOS BY BARBARA BEAN-MELLINGER
Color-coded collars near the top of the pole on stop signs reveal evacuation zones. Red is first to evacuate, then orange, yellow and green.

HERALD FILE PHOTO
Evacuation routes are marked on the highways. Check the Charlotte County Emergency Management website, http://charlottecountyfl.com/emergency, in advance of a storm so you know your route.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN

Hundreds of residents appear eager to learn during a seminar on storm preparedness at the Hurricane and Business Expo in the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center.

SUN PHOTO BY DREW WINCHESTER

Bayshore Live Oak park was shut down due to conditions brought on by Tropical Storm Debby.

SUN PHOTOS BY GREG MARTIN, gmartin@sun-herald.com

Tricia Holfelder, general manager of Danny's Downtown, stands in the street in front of her business. Flooding from Tropical Storm Debby blocked customers and deliveries, so, she closed the restaurant for the day.

SUN FILE PHOTO

Residents should bring their own blankets and pillows, as well as toiletries, if required to go to a shelter.

SUN FILE PHOTO

Hurricane shelters are required to be at least 18 feet above sea level - Kingsway Elementary is the only Red Cross hurricane shelter in Charlotte County.