Sanibel officials urge preparation with arrival of storm season
With early predictions pointing to above-average activity for the upcoming hurricane season, officials are encouraging the islands to be prepared and have a plan in place — as it only takes one storm.
Hurricane season is recognized as June 1 through Nov. 30.
Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project, which has been predicting the season’s Atlantic basin hurricane activity for over 35 years, is forecasting 19 named storms for 2022, with nine of those reaching hurricane-level strength. According to the April 7 predication — three more will be released from June to August — four of the storms are anticipated to become “major” hurricanes.
A major hurricane is ranked as a Category 3 storm or higher.
“We anticipate that the 2022 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity,” the forecast states. “We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.”
“As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them,” it adds. “They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”
Public safety officials on Sanibel and Captiva echoed that sentiment.
“Now is the time to start preparing for any type of storm or emergency. We encourage everyone to plan, plan, plan,” Sanibel Police Department Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Grace Towler said. “Plan now and prepare now, so you’ll be ready in the event that there is a storm. The sooner you have your plan and you’re prepared with your family, the better you’ll be.”
Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul explained that those who wait until a hurricane is approaching to plan may face supplies running out and traffic jams due to evacuations.
“We all know how destructive hurricanes can be and you don’t want to wait until the last minute to figure out what you’re going to do or should do because if you wait until the last minute it’s usually too late,” he said. “It’s better to prepare before hurricane season and have all of your stuff ready, so it’s one less thing that you have to worry about when it comes to your home or business.”
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Division Chief of Training Tim Barrett urged residents and business owners against falling into a sense of complacency since a major storm has not struck in a while.
“If you have a plan and didn’t need to use it, at least you had a plan,” he said. “The trouble is if you don’t have one and then you are scrambling.”
On the islands, a minor storm may knock out the power for a few days and produce some flooding, while a major storm could call for evacuation. Both require planning ahead and being prepared.
“We’re surrounded by water. With any type of storm there’s the possibility of storm surge and flooding,” Towler said. “Power lines down can mean power outages.”
“The islands have a natural drainage, but there’s not a whole lot of space where it can go,” Pawul said of localized flooding and storm surge. “The things that go along with that are power outages.”
He added that there are other hazards people do not necessarily think about, including the limited number of on-island grocery stores and gas stations running out of supplies, plus the wildlife.
“Snakes, mosquitoes, iguanas,” Pawul said. “All those things are scared and displaced, too.”
Barrett noted that once winds reach about 40 mph, emergency vehicles will not be out on the roadways because it poses a danger to the crews and the fire district will cease operations until it is safe again.
Early preparations should include gathering supplies for an evacuation or sheltering in place, making a family plan, and testing storm protection equipment in advance, like storm shutters and generators.
“Have your family plan all ready and done,” Pawul said, explaining that it should include where you are going to go if you are evacuating, emergency contacts, hurricane passes for re-entry and if someone is authorized to check on your property post-storm. “Have all those things planned out ahead of time.”
“Have a go bag with your disaster supplies in it. Basically, that’s just a hurricane kit,” Barrett said, adding that it should include at least one week’s worth of items to provide for self sufficiency.
Hurricane kits should include a gallon of water per day per person, canned and non-perishable food, first aid items, prescription medications, pet supplies, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights with batteries, phone chargers and bug spray. Copies of important documents should be gathered up.
“Gather all your important documents, Anything you may need,” Towler said, citing financial, vehicle and insurance paperwork. “If you haven’t picked up your 2021 re-entry pass, you should do that.”
Residents and business owners for both islands should make sure they have their hurricane re-entry passes in order to return following an evacuation. The city of Sanibel is reusing last year’s passes.
In addition, people should begin preparing their property by trimming trees and branches.
The public is also encouraged to sign up for the AlertLee notifications, the emergency notification system that replaced CodeRed. The city and Lee County use the tool to send out targeted alerts.
Those previously registered with CodeRed must sign up for AlertLee to receive alerts. To register, visit the city’s website at http://www.mysanibel.com/ and click on it in “Quick Links” along on the right.
When a hurricane is approaching, the public should monitor the city and county websites and local media for important up-to-date information. Also, follow any evacuation orders and recommendations.
Communications and alerts will be released to the public via email, social media and such.
“The nice thing with meteorology right now is they can kind of pinpoint where the thing’s going to go and when,” Barrett said. “There’s a number of apps, and the local weather does a really good job.”
“If they’re issuing an evacuation order, there’s a good reason,” he added. “Leave ahead of time.”
Pawul advised against “riding out” a hurricane on the islands.
“They should not be planning on trying to stay. Just because you have hurricane shutters or impact glass, you don’t know what the debris and storm surge is going to be like,” he said. “You’re kind of on your own because we’re not going to be able to come and get you. If there is an order to evacuate, please heed that order.”
Additional preparations should include putting up hurricane shutters, removing loose items from the yard and bringing them inside to prevent them from becoming projectiles, and gassing up any vehicles.
“Now may be the time to pull out all the ‘where are you going to do, what are you going to do,'” Towler said. “Get out your hurricane supplies and your to go bag — and make sure to have a pet plan, too.”
During and after the storm, hunker down in place until officials give the all clear.
“Do not try to drive in a storm. Don’t go out and try to take pictures of the storm or videos of the storm,” Towler said, adding that people should stay away from their windows, even if they are boarded up, and continue to monitor the news for the storm’s progress. “You’re main thing is to stay safe.”
Once the storm passes, police and fire will work with the city, county and other agencies to get the islands cleared as quickly as possible. During evacuations, a checkpoint will be set up at the toll booth at the bridge. As specific zones or areas are cleared, residents and businesses will be allowed back.
“Please do not come back until they tell you to,” Pawul said.
Barrett urged the public to resist the temptation to go driving around after the all clear.
“Do not go driving around to look at storm damage. Don’t drive through standing water,” he said. “Try to avoid major hazards. Any power line that is down, assume that it is hot, assume it is electrified.”
Residents who want to survey their property for damage should do so in a safe manner.
“Don’t wade through standing water,” Pawul said.
“Also, do not call the fire district and ask us to go check on your house for you,” he added. “If you have a concern for somebody’s safety who may have stayed, then that’s fine (to call about).”
Pawul explained that in the days before a storm, the Captiva fire district will list an email address on its website that property owners can contact to have their name added to a property check list. Once the crews have cleared the island post-storm and are out of operation mode, they will start checking homes.
For those relying on a generator, place it outside and follow the directions.
For more information, visit the “Emergency Management” department at www.mysanibel.com.
Lee County is at www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement. It publishes an “All Hazards Guide” that is available at https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/plan/ahg.
To reach Tiffany Repecki, please email trepecki@breezenewspapers.com