Town prepares with hurricane seminar
Knowledge and preparation were the key words expressed by the Town of Fort Myers Beach and Lee County unified command personnel at the 2010 Hurricane Preparedness Seminar at Town Hall Thursday evening.
Four guest speakers followed FMB Town Manager Terry Stewart in presenting instructional facts and information about a plan of action for the June through November season. They included Lee County Director of Public Safety John Wilson, FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Captain Matt LeClair and ABC Channel 7 Chief Meteorologist Jim Reif.
Wilson, who manages emergency operations in the county, discussed response plans, evacuation procedures and how a ‘new wrinkle’ called the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill impacts any hazardous weather to reach the Beach and surrounding area. The seminar included a number of brochures available for anyone in attendance.
“You need to plan, prepare and participate,” said Wilson. “A strong Category 1 hurricane coming in from the Gulf Coast can push a lot of water into this part of Lee County because the way the coast is angled into the bay. The earlier you make a decision, the more choices you have.”
Becker, who was shift commander during Hurricane Charley in 2004 and has 22 years of service with the local fire department, explained the different stages involved in the procedures while providing fire protection, hazard mitigation, emergency medical services and other rescue services.
“The pre-storm phase begins five days out when we start preparing by taking people with special needs to a safe place and answering emergency calls,” he said. “Even a tropical storm can have a significant impact in damages.”
Becker spoke about protecting assets before the storm so that his department may aid in the recovery phase after the particular weather event. He mentioned seeking shelter, volunteering through the Beach’s Community Emergency Response Team and evacuation during the storm stage when sustained wind speeds reach a certain level.
“Once 40 miles per hour and sustained winds have occurred, we are pulling out because we can’t risk our resources in the storm,” said Becker. “We want to make sure all of our equipment is safe, all of our people and families are accounted for, our volunteers are getting organized and communications are up with the county.”
LeClair said personnel from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department prepares for an event prior to being called in 12 hours before the storm. That’s when half of the officers work nights and the other half works days.
“After the storm, there will be deputies answering calls, and we’ll be with the fire department assessing what needs to be done,” said LeClair. “The main point is prepare. It’s not a personal decision. We evacuate our families before the storm. You make our job 1,000 times easier if you evacuate when you’re told to evacuate.”
Reif pointed out warm water fuels hurricanes and encouraged everyone to educate oneself and have a family plan of action. He reminded those listening that the crunch part of hurricane season is August, September and October.
“Experts are saying this will be an extremely active 2010 hurricane season due to the crazy winter weather patterns nation-wide,” said Reif. “Right now, June water temperatures in the eastern Atlantic are warmer than all of last summer. We’re talking about fertile breeding grounds and an area where we can get major storm development. One storm can mean a busy season.”
Stewart, who is in charge of emergency operations for the town, summarized Beach residents’ prepping stages for a storm in a simple manner.
“When they say evacuate the island, evacuate the island,” he said. “If you’re staying, a lot of resources need to come into play to take care of you either just before the major part of the storm hits or after the storm goes by.”
The fact that Fort Myers Beach is a barrier island was brought up more than once during the seminar.
“This island helps protect the rest of the mainland from getting beat to death by a storm that comes in,” said Stewart. “That gives you an idea of what you are up against.”
Local information
Hurricane preparedness information can be obtained at FMB’s town hall or at any of the Lee County American Red Cross offices. Applications and instructions for Beach re-entry passes are available at Town Hall. The right applicant can stop by 2523 Estero Blvd. anytime during business hours and fill out an application and the pass will be mailed to them, according to Town Public Services Supervisor Eric Berris. For questions, call Town Hall at 765-0202.
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
– Develop and practice a family emergency plan.
– Create a disaster supply kit for the home and a separate one to take in case you must evacuate.
– 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.
– 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.
– Make sure your homeowner policy is updated and includes flood insurance.
Safeguarding Your Home:
– Secure all loose objects (such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and planters) that can become flying missiles when hurricane winds intensify.
– Turn off your gas, water and electricity before evacuating.
– Unless you have impact-resistant glass in your windows, make sure to shutter up or board up windows and doors.
– Tape over and seal all soffit vents and roof vents to prevent wind-driven rain from splashing into the vents and flooding the attic.
– Add bracing to the interior of garage doors to reinforce them against wind damage.
– 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.
– Trim tree limbs near or touching the home.
BOX INFORMATION
Facts:
– Hurricane Season 2010 runs from June 1 through November 30
– The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating on a hurricane’s intensity.
– Category 1 Hurricane winds 74-95 m.p.h.
– Category 2 Hurricane winds 96-110 m.p.h.
– Category 3 Hurricane winds 111-130 m.p.h.
– Category 4 Hurricane winds 121-155 m.p.h.
– Category 5 Hurricane winds 156 m.p.h. and greater