Hurricane seminar message: Have a plan of action
A plan of action was the central theme among the guest speakers at the Fort Myers Beach Hurricane Preparedness Seminar at town hall Thursday, June 11.
The two-hour instructional and informational conference featured FMB Mayor Larry Kiker; Lee County Director of Public Safety John Wilson; FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker; Lee County Sheriff’s Office Captain Matt Powell; ABC Channel 7 Chief Meteorologist Jim Reif; and FMB Town Manager Scott Janke.
Kiker opened the seminar by recognizing the following: a youth group under the direction of the FMB Fire Control called Explorer Post 1100; the well-represented Community Emergency Response Team; and his FMB Town Council. He asked those listening at town chambers and those watching through Public Access Channel 98 to remember what the town experienced during and after the mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Charley.
“I remember and I’m sure you remember, but there will be folks who are listening to this that don’t remember and hopefully never experience, the service that can be provided by these groups of individuals,” said Kiker. “I remember the day I was walking in water two feet deep with mud and critters in my living room. I remember 10 days without electricity, sewer or water.”
Wilson followed the mayor’s introduction with a slide show of past Category 1-5 hurricanes in the U.S. and discussed evacuation routes for Beach residents. He also made a plea to listen to the weathermen and gave examples of what storm surges could do above ground.
“A kind of a measuring point for you all to consider is the Gladiolus and U.S. 41 intersection,” said Wilson. “During a Category 2 Hurricane, water can be up to two feet in that intersection. Think that might convince you to leave (the Beach)? How about 6.1 feet during a Category 3 Hurricane? That’s why we give evacuation notices way in advance.”
Wilson then used a quote from Jim Carey’s character in the movie Cable Guy to give a realistic viewpoint on hurricane preparedness: “The trouble with real life is that there is no danger music.”
Becker and Powell combined forces at the podium to provide Beach residents with updated information on services that can be offered if and when a major storm happens and issue a warning to have a plan of action before it is too late. The fire chief recognized the C.E.R.T team (105 volunteers on roster/75 active) before presenting his speech on pre-storm preparations as well as what to do during and after a storm.
“I do see some complacency settling into our community,” said Becker. “But, just because we haven’t been pushed together and called upon to react, let’s not find ourselves behind the eight ball. Let’s be prepared.”
Powell, who is the West District (Beach) commander, asked residents and business owners to show patience during the re-entry process. He also explained that after a mandatory evacuation is issued, helpful services may not be at your beckon call.
“When we do order an evacuation, the Sheriff’s Office will beef up the patrols but I do not want to see people with surfboards coming over the bridge,” he said. “When we do ask you to leave, just know you’re leaving your home and business in good hands. When we go into hurricane mode, it is 24/7.”
Reif offered advice from a meteorological standpoint and reviewed answers to questions that he constantly receives. He also pointed out that the Beach will be going into this year’s hurricane season with a poor economy.
“Warm water is the energy source for hurricanes,” said Reif. “Experts say quite likely there will be fewer storms then last year. If there’s only one hurricane all year long and it runs right over the top of Fort Myers Beach, it’s a busy season. It’s all relative. All it takes is one.”
Janke, who is in charge of emergency operations for the town, concluded the seminar by stating the biggest role is to communicate to the public. He also mentioned the town’s Emergency Response Vehicle.
“That’s our town hall on wheels,” he said. “We’ll be able to continue to communicate with the public should there be an evacuation. You heard a lot of information from the fire chief and our sheriff’s captain. Our main role (after an evacuation) is to decide when the beach can be re-opened.”
Local information
Hurricane preparedness information can be obtained at FMB’s town hall or at any of the Lee County American Red Cross offices. Re-entry passes are offered for applicants each Thursday from 1-4 p.m. at town hall. Visit the town’s Web site at www.townoffortmyersbeachfl.gov for updated hurricane information. Tune into AM radio 1640 during emergency weather conditions.
Other helpful sites include: www.Ready.gov; www.fmb.fire.org; www.leeeoc.com and www.fema.gov.
Pre-storm preparation advice
n Develop and practice a family emergency plan.
n Create a disaster supply kit for the home and a separate one to take in case you must evacuate.
n For your “stay at home” emergency kit include flashlights, batteries, tarps, duct tape, non-perishable foods and water for the entire family and pets. Don’t forget a battery operated radio, disposable camera, medicines and critical paperwork.
n For your “evacuation” emergency kit, include the following in a watertight container: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, important papers (i.e. passports, birth certificates, copies of insurance papers and wills, health insurance paperwork, pictures of furnishings, listing of medications, policies, deeds, stocks and bonds, titles to cars), checkbooks, record of all bank numbers, inventory of valuable household goods, address book with contact information for doctors, insurance agents and relatives, safety deposit box keys, evacuation map of area.
n Make sure your homeowner policy is updated and includes flood insurance.
Safeguarding Your Home:
n Secure all loose objects (such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and planters) that can become flying missiles when hurricane winds intensify.
n Turn off your gas, water and electricity before evacuating.
n Unless you have impact-resistant glass in your windows, make sure to shutter up or board up windows and doors.
n Tape over and seal all soffit vents and roof vents to prevent wind-driven rain from splashing into the vents and flooding the attic.
n Add bracing to the interior of garage doors to reinforce them against wind damage.
n For “after storm” cleanup, have the following items available: tarps, duct tape, heavy work gloves, gas cans, batteries, chain saws, shovels, rakes, water filters, cleaning supplies, first aid kits and extra strength large garbage bags.
n Trim tree limbs near or touching the home.