Hurricane Preparedness and Safety Tips (2023)

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. The National Hurricane Center will begin releasing regular tropical weather forecasts on May 15, two weeks earlier than in previous years.

Wet season preparations continue year-round as the city spends more than $4 million to maintain public right-of-way and stormwater management programs in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County and the Florida Department of Natural Resources. Since Hurricane Irma, the city has doubled its alternative energy sources.

City crews routinely check drains to ensure proper water treatment. All main outputs have been checked and are working normally. FDOT has completed dredging and clearing the Winkler Channel to ensure free flow of water.

Homeowners associations and private stormwater systems are encouraged to control and clear drains. To prevent possible flooding during the rainy season and in anticipation of storms, residents and businesses can help by clearing trash and horticultural debris from street drains that may be clogged.

The downtown and south-central city wastewater treatment plants were rehabilitated at a cost of $45 million, including 40 miles of underground wiring, installation of new state-of-the-art electrical substations, and four new industrial generators (two at each plant , consisting of a main and backup generator with corresponding 12,000 gallon fuel tanks in each facility), contributing to improved reliability and handling capability at both facilities. All of these improvements help the city deal with infiltration and the resulting flow from high-intensity, long-lasting storms.

Lee prepara

advise reads

Lee Countyevacuation zones and emergency shelters

Emergency call - 911

American Red Cross (Local)- 239-278-3401

City of Fort Myers -City Hall - 239-321-7000

Dropped/sparking lines -1-800-4-FAILURE (1-800-468-8243), FPL. Never touch fallen or sparked wires.

United States National Coordinating Agency for Disaster Relief

FEMA- 1-800-621-3362 (Telephone) 1-800-462-7585 (TTY)

Florida Department of Emergency Management- 1-850-413-9969

Fort Myers Fire Department, Not an Emergency- 239-321-7311

Fort Myers Police Department, it's not an emergency- 239-321-7700

Gas Leaks/Emergencies- (877) 832-6747, Teco Gas. You cannot report gas leaks or emergencies online.

Lee County Notfallmanagement- 239-533-0622

Lee County Special Needs Program- 239-533-0640

Lee County Sturm-Hotline- 211

Lee County Pet Services- 239-533-7387

Public works emergency after hours- 239-321-8100

Report an outage -https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html or 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

salvation army- 239-278-1551

Florida traffic situation- 511

United Way von Lee County- 239-433-2000 or 211

Find out about general hurricane recovery and preparedness information

Call or leave a message for Lee County Emergency Management, (239)-533-0622, or dial 211 to contact the Lee County Storm Hotline.

Utilities/Electricity

Faulted/Sparking Lines - 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243), FPL. Never touch fallen or sparked wires.

Gas Leaks/Emergencies – (877) 832-6747, Teco Gas. You cannot report gas leaks or emergencies online.

Please report an outage - https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html or 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

Public works emergency after hours - 239-321-8100

Hurricane preparedness information

What awaits us in Fort Myers

Hurricane - A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds reach 74 mph or greater. Even a tropical storm with winds of less than 75 mph can cause damage similar to a Category 1 hurricane. Planning and preparation should always be done for the next higher storm category. This action is taken because hurricanes can get stronger just before they make landfall.

Important points

Storms often don't seem entirely predictable. A storm can increase forward speed and significantly reduce setup time. Also, storms can rapidly increase in intensity, occasionally this can occur just before landfall. Typically, emergency management depends on the next higher storm category.

Fort Myers doesn't have to be hit directly by a hurricane to cause major damage and disrupt services. A tropical storm with sustained winds of 50 miles per hour or a hurricane that makes landfall 75 to 100 miles south or 50 to 75 miles north can have serious consequences.

Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning hurricane warnings and planning ahead can reduce the likelihood of personal injury or major property damage.

Prepare to be self-sufficient (water, food, and other supplies) for at least three days. It can take at least that long for outside rescue teams to come to your rescue after a major hurricane. Power can be interrupted for weeks.

Hurricane Hazard Potential

The four main dangers associated withhurricanesThey arestorm, strong winds, Tornados, Eextreme precipitation.

Hurricane Potential Damage Scale:

The National Weather Service uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is a rating from 1 to 5 based on the intensity of the hurricane at the time of its reporting.

deliveries and preparations

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Battery operated portable radio and extra batteries

• emergency food and water

• First aid kit and manual

• non-electric can opener

• essential medicines

• cash and credit cards

• resistant footwear

• Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in shelters due to health and space concerns. Please contact the Charleston Animal Shelter for more information.

• Make sure all family members know what to do after a hurricane.

• Teach the family how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.

• Protect your windows.

• Permanent blinds are the best protection. A less expensive approach is to lay plywood sheets. Using 5/8 inch exterior plywood, marine plywood is best, cut to fit each window or door and include a 4 inch overlap on each side. Tie bolts must penetrate the wall and surrounding structure at least 1 ¾ - 2 ½ inches. Remember to mark which frame goes with which window. Pre-drill screw holes every 12 inches and place 4 holes in the center for pressure equalization. Do this well before the storm.

• Cut dead or weak branches from trees.

• Collect items, store them indoors or protect them in the backyard that can become missiles.

• Check flood insurance. For information about the National Flood Insurance Program, contact your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is usually a 30-day waiting period before a new policy takes effect. Homeowner's policies do not cover flood damage associated with a hurricane.

• Develop an emergency communication plan. In the event that family members are separated during a disaster (a real possibility during the day, when the adults are at work and the kids are at school), have a plan to get you back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to act as a "family liaison." After a disaster, it's often easier to make long distance calls. Make sure everyone in the family knows the contact's name, address, and phone number.

WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED

Listen to the radio or television for updates on the hurricane's progress. Have a battery powered radio or TV as a backup if the power goes out.

• Check emergency supplies.

• fuel car.

• Bring outside items like patio furniture, toys and gardening tools, and anchor items that cannot be brought indoors.

• Protect buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove the external antennas.

• Set the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.

• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, washing machines, jugs, bottles and pots.

• Check the evacuation plan.

• Tie down the boat securely or move it to a designated safe location. Use a rope or chain to secure the boat to the trailer. Use anchors to anchor the trailer to the ground or house.

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

Always listen to LOCAL radio or television for official instructions. Keep in mind that cable stations may not have storm information. Have a battery powered radio or television with spare batteries on hand.

If you are in a mobile or prefab home, check the tethers and evacuate immediately. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container upstairs in your home. When evacuating, take important documents with you.

More Information: Take a Look at the City of Fort MyersHurrikan Survival Guide.

National Hurricane Center Live-Tracks – NOAA

Live-Radar, Sturmverfolgung

Report FPL failure

National Hurricane Center

city ​​of fort myers

FL Department of Emergency Management