Schools, Lee County offices closed in preparation for Hurricane Ian
The School District of Lee County cancelled activities and closed schools through today as Hurricane Ian approached on Monday.
In “an abundance of caution,” the district announced that schools would be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday with a decision for the rest of the week contingent on storm updates.
“We will make a decision about the rest of the week by 5 p.m. on Wednesday,” district officials said in a notice to parents sent Monday.
The district said its staff was working closely with Lee County’s Emergency Operations Center in preparation for any impact Hurricane Ian might have locally.”
“The National Hurricane Center indicates that our area will be impacted by hurricane force winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge late Tuesday into Wednesday,” the notice sent early Monday afternoon states. “In addition, Lee County has declared a local state of emergency and officials have made the decision to activate some of our schools as storm shelters starting on Tuesday…”
Also cancelled were after-school programs, extra-curricular activities, the district’s Vendor Fair at the District office and the Proximity Neighborhood Dialogue Community meeting that was to be held at James Stephens Elementary School and a School Board Workshop.
“We will evaluate our current Instructional Calendar and determine what dates will be used as Hurricane Make-Up Days,” the notice to parents states. “We will also work with the Florida Department of Education to ensure we are meeting all instructional requirements.”
County provides update Monday
County officials gathered Monday afternoon to provide an update on Hurricane Ian.
County Manager Roger Desjarlais said the county has watched the storm since last week and on Monday morning, declared a state of local emergency.
“It provides for us the opportunity to recapture federal funds for dollars that are expended locally in preparation, for, and in response to this storm,” he said.
Desjarlais said the county’s Emergency Operation Center was partially active with plans to become fully active Tuesday morning. The county will receive briefings from the National Weather Service regularly.
He announced county offices would be closed Tuesday and today . Other offices to be closed include the property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, clerk of courts and court system, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
“I suspect there will be others,” Desjarlais added.
When it comes to evacuations and shelters, the county had not yet made a decision Monday afternoon.
“Although we are fully prepared to take action depending on what the storm does throughout the evening,” Desjarlais said. “Once we have a better grasp on (rainfall totals, wind speeds, possible storm surge), we’ll have a better understanding about what areas we may call for evacuation and determine what shelters we may open based on the number of people that would have to evacuate.”
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marcelo reminded residents that when sustained winds reach 45 mph or greater, law enforcement is off of the street.
“We are no longer responding to calls until it passes,” he said. “We want you to be ready, be in the right place, and be protected. The second we can, we will re-engage immediately and go back out and assist and take calls.
“After the storm, what we ask is if you don’t have to be out, not to be out. We don’t know exactly what is safe or unsafe. We’re assessing (and) looking at roads and bridges and downed electrical lines.”
Desjarlais said decisions on closing of bridges would be made by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended tolls throughout the state of Florida, including Lee County, on Monday.
For the most up-to-date county information, visit www.leegov.com.