Get ready for another hurricane season
The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District and the Lee County Emergency Operation Center have a message for the community: Be prepared.
The agencies held their second annual Hurricane Education Seminar Tuesday night at the Pine Island United Methodist Church.
The seminar covered evacuation, hurricane preparedness kits, shelters and the predictions for the 2016 hurricane season.
Presenters included Jim Bjostad, chief of Emergency Management for Lee County where is responsible for coordinating and planning the preparations for and responses to all hazardous threats to the citizens and visitors.
Lee County stays on top of all storm activity, he told those attending.
“In the event of a hurricane the Lee County Emergency Operation Center will give Pine Islanders up to five days notice before a hurricane is in the immediate area and two to three days to evacuate,” Bjostad said. “I was watching Tropical Storm Colin this weekend. We knew it was coming almost a week in advance. So you don’t have to be afraid of hurricanes – you’ll get plenty of notice.”
Lee County Emergency Management is organized around the National Incident Management System principles, usually referred to as the Incident Command System or ICS for short. The system works with the “All Hazards” approach to emergency management, from hurricanes to Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Their “All Hazards Guide” was handed out to everyone that attended the seminar and is available from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department.
The National Weather Service is predicting the most active since 2012. They are predicting a total of 14 (Avg. 12) named storms, 8 hurricanes (Avg. 6) with 3 major hurricanes for the Atlantic basin during this hurricane season. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The National Hurricane Center says that Category 3 hurricane winds range from 111 129 and “devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
In the event a storm heads our way, Lee County is prepared, officials said
“I spent 29 years in the Coast Guard,” Bjostad said. “Between 2004 and 2007 I had the unique opportunity to be the Incident Commander in Mobile, Alabama which meant I had Hurricanes Ivan, Arlene, Cindy, Dennis and Katrina in 11 months. Today most people have forgotten about Ivan and Dennis but everyone remembers Katrina. I am here to tell you that either Ivan or Dennis would create havoc for anyone in Lee County’s ‘Zone A’ which is Pine Island.”
The Lee County All Hazards Guide provides a map of Lee County indicating all of Pine Island, Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva and parts of Cape Coral inside Zone A. Zone A is where the greatest effects of hurricane rain, winds and surge could be.
“The phrase I want you to remember is ‘Respect the Wind Fear the Surge’, Bjostad said. “Remember that even a Category 1 or 2 hurricane can create a devastating surge. Hurricane Ivan created a storm surge of more than 11 feet and Dennis, with relatively low winds, created a storm surge of 15 feet. And as to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that hurricane produced a storm surge of 34 feet. A surge that high would put much of Cape Coral under water.”
Bjostad stressed the importance of having a plan to evacuate. Everyone should have more than one option and staying at one of the shelters should be the last option. Shelters provide only food, water and shelter. The potential for over-crowding in shelters is enormous and very uncomfortable.
“But when we say evacuate the most critical zone, Zone A, I hope you consider strongly to do so,” Bjostad said. “Just because a hurricane has a lower wind doesn’t mean you don’t have to evacuate. A Category 1 hurricane can create a significant surge depending on the direction it’s coming from. Katrina came ashore at the Mississippi-Louisiana border. The storm surge was 34 feet of water. That’s enough water to evacuate all of Lee County and put Pine Island under 34 feet of water.”
There are four shelters in Cape Coral: Diplomat Elementary School, Diplomat Middle School, Island Coast High School and Mariner Middle School. People with pets must go to South Fort Myers High School. Details can be found in the “All Hazards Guide” available from the Pine Island Fire Department.
Planning ahead is key. If you wait to plan until a day or two before a storm strikes you’ll forget something vital. “I can’t remember the medications I take,” Bjostad said. “I keep a list in my wallet. If you have to get everything together at the last minute you’ll forget something important so prepare now.”
The All Hazards Guide includes a comprehensive ‘Supply Kit’ for emergencies. This is a partial list: One gallon of drinking water per person 3 7 day supply, plastic wrap, cooler for food storage and ice, lighter or matches, sleeping bags, lawn chairs, camp stove, spare glasses, personal hygiene items, list of prescription medications, over the counter medications, hand sanitizer, water and food for animals, NOAA weather radio, first aid kit, etc.
All Hazards Guides are available at the Fire Department.
“It is estimated that one in four people live with some form of disability,” Bjostad said. “Emergency Management has been actively learning the needs of disabled people. EOC has recently added a “Disability Advisor” to address the needs of residents with physical and mental disabilities. They have also added training for shelter management staff.”
For those people whose needs can not be met in a shelter there are “Special Care Shelters” available. You must complete an application to determine if your medical issues qualify for a special needs shelter. Applications are available online at: www.LeeEOC.com. LeeTran and EMS can provide transportation to a “Special Needs Shelter.”
“I have a pet so I’m sensitive to the need for pets,” Bjostad said. “There is only one pet-friendly shelter in Lee County. The public shelters do not permit pets. The best bet is to find a friend or a hotel that allows pets but if that’s not possible the South Fort Myers High School is Lee County’s Pet-Friendly shelter.”
Keeping informed is vital and there are several applications for iPhones available. LeeEVAC is an iPhone application that will locate your evacuation zone before a hurricane strikes by using your current GPS location. If an evacuation is ordered instructions will be provided. This “app” is provided by, and available from, iTunes and the Lee County Government at: www.leegov.com/library/online/mobile-apps.
Code Red is a “reverse-911” application that “pushes” evacuation notifications in real time during emergencies. Lee EOC also uses Twitter and Facebook.
To expedite returning to the island after a hurricane residents should have a “hang tag.” Following a hurricane Lee County will place Sheriff’s deputies at the bridge to check the identification of everyone trying to get on the island. A hang tag will expedite your passage. Hang Tags are available at the Fire Department. You will need identification that you live on Pine Island – an electric bill will serve.
“Recovering after a disaster takes time,” Bjostad said. “Following the storm electricity and water will be out and restoring these essentials as soon as possible is essential but takes time. Utilities will be restored on a priority basis. Emergency services will be restored first and then homes and businesses. Debris must be cleared from the roads to begin the process.”
“I am a great believer in generators but generators must be used wisely,” Bjostad said. “When they are running they give off carbon monoxide which is tasteless, colorless and odorless and can kill. If you’re going to use a generator purchase a carbon monoxide detector and put in a fresh battery. Set it on your nightstand so you’ll hear it if it goes off.”
Following Hurricane Charley points of distribution for the basic essentials at several churches: food, water and ice were established on Pine Island.
“If you take anything away with you today it should be “Fear the wind but respect the Surge” Bjostad said. “There is important information in our “All Hazards Guide.” If you didn’t get a copy tonight and would like a copy stop by the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department. They are invaluable and available for pickup.”