SEA RANCH LAKES
It’s one part carefree attitude, another part guarded preparedness. Vicky D’Annunzio, a resident in one of Sea Ranch Lakes’ gated communities, took in her patio furniture and boarded up her windows.


But she didn’t remain holed up in her home.

”My son was just out playing,” she said Tuesday afternoon. “We haven’t had much of anything. Just gray skies.”

Last year, her neighbors did little to prepare for Hurricane Wilma, largely underwhelmed by its reported category 1 status, she said. This time, they’ve opted to be safe rather than sorry.

”People were a little lazy,” she said. “But I think everyone has listened since Wilma. I myself started preparing since the beginning of June.”

The municipality’s oceanside location makes it vulnerable, but officials did not expect to sustain much damage.

”We’re just monitoring the situation,” said Sgt. James O’Brien of Sea Ranch Lakes police. “If they tell us we’re going to have a surge, we’ll respond appropriately.”

Still, city hall is closed, and may remain closed the rest of the week, police said.

— Robin M. Peguer