Fort Myers Beach officials: Make a plan
While Fort Myers Beach dodged a hurricane last year, Tropical Storm Elsa passed over rather quietly, a waterspout was brief and harmless, and a nearby tornado spared Estero Island, the town knows the devastating impact hurricanes have and fire officials want folks to be prepared for one.
As hurricane season begins June 1, having a plan is important. Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Charley in 2004 were the three worst storms to hit Fort Myers Beach in the last two decades.
Hurricane Eta, which briefly touched on Fort Myers Beach in 2020, was the last reminder on the island of how quickly a storm can unleash its impact. While Fort Myers Beach largely avoided any major damage that year, roads on San Carlos Island flooded and the waves from the Gulf of Mexico shot over the Fort Myers Beach Pier onto businesses like The Pierside Grill and and Famous Blowfish Bar in Times Square. A few small fires were reported in town. The fire department went street to street to check on residents. The department assisted one person on the back bay to higher ground.
Fort Myers Beach is in a surge zone for flooding. That puts homes at risk of a storm surge, Fort Myers Beach Fire Department Ron Martin said. Martin has been here for Hurricane Charley, Eta, Irma and Wilma since starting with the department. Residents are “very accustomed” to getting ready for the hurricane season,” he said.
For those who are new, seeking a refresher or looking for some extra tips, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department has plenty of guidance. The fire department has a hurricane preparedness guide posted at: https://fmbfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Community-Emergency-Preparedness-Guide-Hurricane Preparedness Guide – Fort Myers Beach Fire Department
Among the chief suggestions is knowing your evacuation route and having an alternative route in place, whether you are going to stay with a friend, to a hotel out of the area or to a shelter.
Getting ahead of the storm< “Start your personal preparations early,” Martin said. Martin said folks should make sure they have extra cash on hand if a hurricane is approaching as banks and ATMs could be shut down. Make sure your phone has a car charger. Check your vehicle’s tires, fluids and fill your tank up with gas.
“From our vantage point, people need to keep in mind to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a major event, whether it’s a hurricane or tornado. Be prepared all the time, that is a good practice,” Martin said.
Fire Official Jennifer Campbell said plans should be shared with loved ones. A hurricane plan should include pets and ensuring which shelters will be open. Pets need to be up-to-date on their shots to go to shelters. Get an early start on evacuating if that is your plan.
“You don’t want to be caught in your car during the middle of the hurricane. You want to be there, settled in and sheltered when a storm rolls ashore,” Martin said.
Five Tips for preparing for hurricanes
Campbell provided the five following recommendations to prepare for hurricanes:
1. Stay Informed: Most agencies will flood social media with updates in the days before an event.
2. Download the Alert Lee application, which is used for emergency notifications within Lee County.
3. Start preparing now. Supply chain shortages could create an issue with obtaining the items you need.
4. Decide early if you will be evacuating. If you need to go to a shelter, and have a pet or any type of special needs, register early. There are limited locations that can take residents with special needs, or pets.
5.Download The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Hurricane Preparedness Guide. This provides for contact information, information on planning, and a guide on what to do after a storm.
“I would also encourage visiting our social media platforms,” Campbell stated. “We will be posting various information planning and preparation information over the upcoming weeks that will be helpful. Also, we are working with the town to plan joint social media releases.”
Removing hurricane hazards
“Residents should do any outdoor trimming removal prior to any hurricane threat,” Fort Myers Beach Manager Roger Hernstadt said. That means checking for any outdoor debris that could become a safety hazard during a hurricane, he said. Any landscaping equipment or debris could end up causing major damage during hurricane winds.
Supplies
A gallon of drinking water per person, per day, is also recommended for an approaching hurricane. The fire department recommends freezing water in containers or bags a day or two ahead of an evacuation. Prescription medication should also be accounted for. The protection of vital documents in a waterproof container is a good idea, such as insurance, birth certificates and Social Security cards. Business owners should back up any critical data.
Get the shutters up early as the storm approaches and take them down as soon as the threat passes, Campbell said. “We can’t get through those. You are increasing your rescue time in an upwards of 10 to 15 minutes,” she said. “If you need help, reach out.”
Awnings and canopies should be taken down before a hurricane. If you are evacuating, turn off all utilities. Individuals should keep in mind that when it is no longer safe for first responders to be on the road when wind speeds hit a certain sustained wind per hour, those who decided to remain will not receive help until the conditions become safe to start responding again.
“During the hurricane there is a point that it is no longer feasible, or safe, for responders to get to you. It is imperative that you heed the warning and shelter accordingly,” Martin said.
Generator operation should be dealt with special care. Gasoline-powered devices need to be placed at least 10 feet away from a structure to eliminate exhaust from coming into a structure.
“If you are planning on powering a house with a generator, it needs to be checked by a licensed electrician prior to doing it,” Martin said. “We don’t want people out there messing around with the main electrical panel, or main feed coming into the house. That needs to be done by licensed professionals.”
Martin said it’s important to follow the words of elected officials and emergency management when they issue watches and warnings. “Understand that the emergency management authorities are doing that for a reason. Storm conditions could deteriorate to a point that a mandatory evacuation is warranted,” Martin said.
In terms of community information, Martin also shared the following important tips:
• Check your prescriptions: Make sure you have ample prescription medication in case of an evacuation.
• Review your homeowner’s insurance or renters insurance policy annually with your agent.
• When planning for storm season, everyone should plan to have enough non-perishable food and drinking water for each person and pets in their family for at least seventy-two hours
• Have a plan on how to stay informed, have a battery-operated weather radio to keep up to date on important information in the event of a power outage.
Finally, tropical storms and hurricanes are a force of nature; they can quickly intensify and change forecasted paths. The best offense in a resilient community is to get prepared and stay prepared,” Martin stated.
Hurricane passes
In the worst cases, traffic over Matanzas Pass Bridge could be limited to residents which is why folks should make sure they have a hurricane pass if they have a home on the island or are business owners. Hernstadt said the purple passes for residents are still good from last year despite the dates on them. The yellow passes for businesses are also still good though they don’t show the current year.
Folks who need hurricane passes can go to town hall or call ahead of time at 239-765-0202.
Post-hurricane
After a hurricane, stay calm. Water may not be safe to drink, telephone services might not be working and power restoration times will vary. Do not connect generators to indoor wiring.
Lastly, in the aftermath of a hurricane, be aware of unlicensed contractors seeking to provide help.
Here are some helpful tips in dealing with contractors after a hurricane:
Do not sign a repair contract until you are able to verify the contractor is licensed. Remember to ask for a copy of their state license. Consider whether the quote is reasonable. If a contractor is putting a lot of pressure on you to sign the quote then this is reason to question. Do not pay for any services in full up front. Make sure the contractor has acquired any required permits before starting work. For permit related questions on residential properties on Fort Myers Beach, contact the town’s building and permitting services, at 239-765-0202, extension 1306. For permit related questions for commercial and multi-family residences, contact life safety at 239-590-4210 or the town’s building and permitting services.