The city of Holmes Beach is heading into this year’s storm season with a couple of changes to its approach.
Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander May 22 that the municipality is ready for the 2025 storm season with a new text message notification system and policy for the Holmes Beach Police Department.
The hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin runs June 1-Nov. 30.
Last year’s storm season brought hurricanes Helene and Milton, which devastated the island.
This year, Holmes Beach will employ TextMyGov, a text message notification system to better inform residents and businesses before and during emergency situations.
The municipality already provides emergency messaging through the city website, social media and public news releases but the text notifications will allow it to deliver notifications directly to people who sign up.
People can sign up to receive alerts — such as information about storm warnings, hurricane updates, cleanups and shelters — by texting “HOLMESBEACH” to the 91896, then replying “YES” to a confirmation message to opt-in.
People can opt out of the system at any time by texting the same number, “STOP.”
Another change heading into this storm season is a more careful approach for the HBPD.
Tokajer said he made the worst mistake in his career as chief last year, when he kept himself, Lt. Brian Hall and about eight other police officers stationed at the station ahead of Hurricane Helene.
The storm surge came in faster and stronger than expected and trapped them on the island for the night.
Tokajer said his decision to keep officers stationed on the island ahead of such a storm endangered them — something he has since apologized for and refuses to do again.
He said he now plans to evacuate police from the island ahead of hurricanes but added that their evacuation would make calls for residents and property owners to evacuate all the more serious.
“When we say to evacuate, evacuate, because we will not be there to come and do rescues like we did this last year during Helene,” Tokajer said. “We will not be putting our lives in danger for people that did not listen to and heed the warnings that were given.”
Despite those changes, some things about the city’s approach to storms will remain the same — like reentry hanging tags, which allow residents and business owners to get back on the island following an evacuation.
Tokajer said reentry tags issued to residents and businesses since 2023 will remain valid through 2028, so those with active tags were not required to pick up new ones.
Those without reentry tags can obtain one per residence or business by bringing two pieces of identification, including one with a photo, to the HBPD.
The playing field also has been cleared ahead of hurricane season.
Tokajer said he could not think of any damaged properties from last year that would constitute a hazard and Florida Power & Light has been “constantly” trimming trees and straightening utility poles.
Nevertheless, Tokajer told residents and property owners to be prepared going into season.
“Make sure you have your evacuation plan set, know where you’re planning to go. Have all of your medications and any items that you want to take with you, with you,” Tokajer said. “Make sure that you take everything off your patio before you evacuate.”
