Fire district to host annual Captiva Hurricane Seminar
With the start of hurricane season, islanders are encouraged to attend the annual Captiva Hurricane Seminar to hear from local officials on storm preparations, projections for the year and more.
The Captiva Island Fire Control District will host the event on June 13 at 3 p.m. at the Captiva Fire Station. There will be presentations by Lee County Emergency Management and NBC meteorologist Jason Dunning, plus an opportunity to ask questions of the district and Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“We do it every year,” Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said. “It’s a reminder that hurricane season is coming up and it refreshes everybody’s memory on what they need to prepare for and what hurricane season is all about.”
He noted that people may become complacent or forget the basics following years on no major hurricane activity, and new residents to the island may not have the knowledge on how to prepare.
“We do this because we want the resident to have as much information and be as educated as possible because these storms can be dangerous,” Pawul said.
The guest speakers will include Sandra Tapfumaneyi, operations chief for Lee County Emergency Management. She will discuss the lessons learned from Hurricane Irma and how to prepare.
“She’ll cover how to prepare for the storms and where you can go to get pertinent information,” he said.
Dunning, with NBC’s weather team, will discuss the 2018 hurricane season predictions.
“He will cover what to expect information wise and where to get your hurricane information,” Pawul said, adding that Dunning grew up in the local area. “So he kind of maybe understands it a little bit more than other people.”
He noted that 14 storms are anticipated this year, with three expected to be major hurricanes.
“They’ve projected a higher than normal season,” Pawul said. “But it only takes one and of those projections, it doesn’t say where they’re going to go.”
Following the presentations, Pawul and Lee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Sawicki will answer questions about storm preparations, returning after an evacuation, hurricane re-entry passes and more.
“The two of us, with our organizations, will be here to answer any questions from residents,” he said.
Literature will be available for attendees to take home.
“We’ll make sure we have information as far as the All Hazards Guide, Family Hurricane Planner,” Pawul said. “We’ll put out the Home Owners Authorization Letters, so we’ll have those available.”
At least a dozen people attend the events, but he expects more this year because of Irma.
“I think there’s always an opportunity to educate yourself on something you didn’t know in the past, even if it’s just knowing where to get the information from,” Pawul said.
Those unable to attend the seminar can visit online at www.leeeoc.com for more information.
The Captiva fire station carries copies of the All Hazards Guide for islanders.
In addition, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva will facilitate a seminar, “Hurricane Preparedness – Are You Ready,” on June 21 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel for those interested.
For more information about the Captiva event, call 239-472-9494.
The Captiva Fire Station is at 14981 Captiva Drive.