Fort Myers Beach was the hardest hit of any community in Florida from Hurricane Ian last year, in one of the worst hurricanes in the nation’s history. 

The devastating toll included 16 people dead, hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed. 

The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District has used the experience to update its hurricane preparedness guide and provide more tips for the public to prepare for the next inevitable hurricane – whenever it may arrive. 

Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth provided the following five major tips for the next hurricane, in addition to the update hurricane guide. 

1. Stay Informed: Most agencies will flood social media platforms with updates. In the days leading up to a possible event, agencies will coordinate unified messages that are pushed out through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

2. Download the AlertLee app; this is the platform 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 as there are a limited number of shelters that can take residents with special needs, or pets. The information for registering can be found in our Hurricane Preparedness Guide. 

5. Download our Hurricane Preparedness Guide. This provides contact information, information on planning, and a guide on what to do after a storm. 

The Fort Myers Beach Fire District Hurricane Preparedness Guide can be found online at: https://www.fmbfirefl.gov/files/e5d1e86a7/FMBFD-Hurricane-Preparedness-Guide+-+2023.pdf 

The seven-page hurricane preparedness guide, which was updated in April, includes a disaster supply/preparation kit checklist for food and water and other items, including non-perishable food, manual can openers, grills, lighters, waterproof matches, pots, pans, cups, plates, eating utensils, lock-tight plastic bags and coolers.  

Other items on the preparation kit checklist in the event of an evacuation include a tool kit, plastic tarps, nails, duct tape, work gloves, batteries, radio, flashlights and a whistle (to signal for help if needed). 

Sanitation/clean up supplies including unscented bleach (for clean-up/disinfect water), water for cleaning, assorted cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants; rubber gloves, brushes, brooms, mops, towels, buckets, emergency toilet paper and rags.  

Other important items on the checklist that are recommended to be in the preparation kit include medications, spare keys, pens, important papers (put in a watertight container), keepsakes/photos (put in a watertight container), coins, cash, credit cards and/or travelers checks, prepaid telephone cards, maps, games and water for pets. 

Before leaving before a hurricane, the department recommends homeowners clean gutters of debris, inspect the roof, storm shutters and garage doors.  

Prior to evacuating, property owners should shut off all utilities and inspect all tree limbs that could fall on the home. 

Creating a family hurricane plan 

The fire department recommends that families form a hurricane plan. Residents should know the evacuation zone they are located in. Information on zones can be found in Lee County’s All Hazards Guide or visit the Lee County Emergency Management website at https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement.  

Option A: Stay at home. If your home can withstand the expected winds, and you are away from the coast and not in a flood prone area, consider staying home. Never stay in your home if your area is under an evacuation order.  

Option B: Stay with a relative, friend, or at a hotel outside the evacuation area. If you plan to do this, make arrangements in advance, and make sure you leave early. Always have an alternate plan.  

Option C: Relocate out of the area. Local officials will tell you which evacuation routes to use. Plan your route ahead of time, and make sure to plan alternate routes. Include maps and directions in your hurricane kit. Leave early to avoid high winds, flooding, and traffic.  Option D: Go to a public shelter if you have no safe place to go. Local media will announce which shelters are open. Do not wait until the last minute to learn the route to the shelter. This includes the shelters that accept pets and the shelters that are equipped for special needs.  

When preparing for whether to evacuate before a future hurricane, the department recommends that residents consider whether their home has a hurricane-rated garage doors.

“If your home was built prior to 2003, is two or more stories, constructed of wood, or you are in a flood zone you may want to consider evacuating,” the department’s hurricane guide states. 

72 hours before a storm review  

In the three-day window before a hurricane, the department recommends that residents 

stay informed about the weather through local media coverage, make sure prescriptions are up-to-date, enough cash is on hand to last a lengthy time, bills are paid, sunscreen and insect repellant are at hand in the event one is stuck outside after a hurricane.  

One’s car should be filled with gas before planning an evacuation, with a cell phone charger in place, tires and fluids should be checked on the vehicle. Emergency phone numbers should be gathered and readily available. The department recommends freezing water in containers or bags in a freezer for 48 hours before a storm, 

After the storm 

During the days and hours after a storm, the department recommends listening to the local media for updates, staying calm and patient. Be prepared for days of no power or limited power, meaning no air conditioning, lights, refrigerator or access to electrical appliances. Cell phone usage may be affected, water may be unsafe to drink, toilets may not flush and showers may not work. If you smell gas, do not stay in your home and call for help immediately. Be careful of downed electrical wires and report them to the power company and/or fire and police departments.  

Be on the lookout for fire ants, bees, wasps, snakes, rodents and anything else that may be seeking higher ground. 

Do not connect generators to your house wiring. Generators are to be used outside in a well-ventilated area and remember to shut down generators during re-fueling and always have a fire extinguisher nearby. 

Contractors  

Beware of unlicensed contractor activity. 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. Is the quote reasonable? If they are 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, 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. 

Small businesses 

Business owners should ensure critical operations employees know the plan for when to make contact and when to return to work. Ensure that critical data and business records are backed up electronically. Pre-plan key vendors that are necessary in reopening your businesses as quickly as possible. Review your businesses liability insurance coverage annually. Identify essential employees to help close up the business, and to begin restoring operations as soon as possible. Conduct an annual facility safety inspection with key staff members. Ensure key members of the team know how to shut down, secure power utilities, and preserve critical data. Ensure key members of the team know how to shut off the domestic water supply to the building. Form an employee support network to aid employees and their families in preparing, responding, and recovering after the storm has passed.