Lee County officials today provided updates on the impacts of Hurricane Helene throughout the area, as well as thanked various departments for the work prior to, during and after the storm.

Ongoing efforts to clear county roads and communities, especially in coastal towns, is ongoing and will continue over the upcoming weeks, officials said.

Assistant County Manager Christine Brady updated the county’s efforts regarding Public Safety, Solid Waste, Parks & Recreation and Community Engagement.

She said the Public Safety Team is keeping an eye on a system in the Caribbean Sea that is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

“At this time, we’re still anticipating at least a rain event,” Brady said, noting that rain totaling 3 to 4 inches is expected over the next three days, and that the Emer-gency Operations Center is still staffed.

Brady said other public safety staff continues to work with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and FEMA to assist impacted households and businesses.

“They are starting coordination meetings with FEMA Division Supervisors for any new issues or needs as we continue through these next few weeks,” Brady said. “They are continuing to assist with community’s specific needs in impacted areas including but not limited to Boca Grande, Pine Island, Matlacha, Captiva Island and San Carlos Island. And at this time, no team or staff have been deployed except for the (Urban Search and Rescue) Team, but we continue to offer assistance to the impacted communities to our north.”

Debris collection started earlier in the week, with areas in North Captiva and Upper Captiva still having accessibility issues that are being worked on.

When it comes to Parks and Recreation, many sites were worked on to reopen over the weekend, though beach areas in particular have seen sand-shifting events that have halted openings.

“Parking lots experienced anywhere from six inches to three feet of sand, with many of our fencing, trash receptacles and signage being buried,” Brady said. “The crews continue to work through those areas to get them back open again.”

Assistant County Manager Marc Mora spoke to Community Development, Utilities and Natural Resources.

Mora said the county is looking at the storm as “an opportunity to roll out newly developed post-storm processes, and demonstrate the improvements that have been made.”

Mora said initial damage assessment started last Friday morning, and continues.

“Our inspectors are out in the field, they’re handing out flyers with permitting requirements and information about the 50% rule,” he said. “It’s really important that our constituents understand those regulations.”

All work in the special flood hazard area requires permits.

“We are going to prioritize all storm-related permits. They will be prioritized and expedited.”

Mora said they are currently identifying hardest-hit communities, with the possibility of putting remote permitting offices in those areas. The county is also working with the Property Appraiser’s Office to provide property value letters.

Mora said coastal surge was the major player for flooding county-wide, and that they didn’t see widespread river flooding, and that water levels continue to recede to normal for the most part, with a few exceptions.

“National Resources staff continues to coordinate with Lee County DOT on community conveyance issues, such as in Moody River and Island Park, and solutions for public roads and swale flooding on our barrier islands,” Mora said.

Assistant County Manager Robert Codie talked about the Human and Veterans Service Department, along with Transportation. Routes were deviated so that individuals on Pine Island that needed it could get to a safe haven location in North Fort Myers for shelter. Transpor-tation was also provided for those needing a safe haven in Bonita Springs. Transit provided free services for the entire county after 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the storm. Teams were at safe havens to help get people off the street.

“Our Human and Veteran Services Department also collaborated with the Salvation Army to ensure there were beds available,” Codie said.

County Manager Dave Harner reported that DOT has inspected all coastal bridges structures, and all were deemed safe.

“When it comes to the Sanibel Causeway, FDOT has indicated all the resiliency measures they put in have worked,” Harder said. “For Pine Island, washout areas did not receive any significant damage from the storm.”

Sand removal is at the top of the list for county officials, as they will begin removing sand and debris on sidewalks and bicycle paths.