Preparation urged with arrival of storm season
With early predictions pointing to above-average activity for the upcoming hurricane season, officials are encouraging the islands to be prepared and have a plan in place — as it only takes one storm.
Hurricane season is recognized as June 1 through Nov. 30.
Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project, which has been predicting the season’s Atlantic basin hurricane activity for over 35 years, is forecasting 17 named storms for 2021, with eight of those reaching hurricane-level strength. According to the April 8 predication — three more will be released from June to August — four of the storms are anticipated to become “major” hurricanes.
A major hurricane is ranked as a Category 3 storm or higher.
“We anticipate that the 2021 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity,” the forecast states. “We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.”
“As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them,” it adds. “They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”
Local officials on Sanibel and Captiva echoed that sentiment.
“It’s an island community and it’s a barrier island, so it’s kind of the first thing that’s going to get affected by a hurricane coming from any direction,” Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Division Chief of Training Tim Barrett said. “Even with the hurricane code, we’ve had flooding, we’ve had widespread power outages, and there’s only one way on and one way off the island. So we need to prepare and not get complacent in having a miss (from a hurricane) over the last couple of years.”
“Preparation is the first thing we should always do,” Sanibel Police Department Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Grace Towler said. “We always try to ask people to prepare early. Being prepared is probably is the best thing we can ask our residents to do.”
“Hurricanes are a very dangerous scenario to be caught in, especially on Sanibel or Captiva,” Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said. “We’re a barrier island and that’s not the place you want to be stuck for a hurricane.”
On the islands, a minor storm may knock out the power for a few days and produce some flooding, while a major storm could call for evacuation. Both require planning ahead and being prepared.
“Our biggest concerns for a barrier island, if you’re in a hurricane, are storm surge, access to and from the island — there’s only one way in and one way out — and then power and water,” Pawul said. “Storm surge obviously being the most deadly — but not as common as power outages — but if it does happen, it can be catastrophic.”
Barrett agreed.
“We’re going to be (storm) surge susceptible with any high tide,” he said. “When you combine hurricane force winds pushing it up higher, you’re going to have water over the roadways, trees hitting power lines.”
Early preparations should include gathering supplies for an evacuation or sheltering in place, making a family plan and testing storm protection equipment in advance, like storm shutters and generators.
“One of the things that they should be doing now is developing a family emergency plan,” Towler said. “If you’re able to shelter in place, make sure you have the resources. If you have to evacuate, have a plan.”
Pawul and Barrett echoed that.
“You’ve got to have a plan,” Barrett said. “Don’t wait until the last minute because that’s when you run into trouble.”
“Have a plan of what you’re going to do in the event that we do have a storm,” Pawul said. “When are you going to evacuate and where are you going to go? How are you going to get back to your house?”
Residents and business owners for both islands should make sure they have their hurricane re-entry passes in order to return following an evacuation. The city of Sanibel is again reusing the 2016 passes.
“If it seems like it’s not going to be a bad storm,” Pawul said, referring to no threat of storm surge or mandatory evacuations. “You want to be prepared for a week to two weeks’ worth of supplies.”
Hurricane kits should include a gallon of water per day per person, canned and non-perishable food, first aid items, prescription medications, pet supplies, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights with batteries, phone chargers and bug spray. Copies of important documents should be gathered up.
Towler also suggested having extra clean blankets and clothing.
“If you lose power, you’re not going to be able to do laundry,” she said.
Florida’s “Disaster Preparedness” Tax Holiday is planned for May 28 through June 6. It allows residents to prepare for hurricane season, while saving money on disaster preparedness items, such as flashlights under $40, batteries less than $50, tarps under $100, and generators less than $1,000.
“The biggest thing to remember is you have to be self sufficient,” Barrett said. “Even when there’s a mandatory evacuation of the island, you still have to have your supplies.”
People should also begin preparing their property for season by trimming trees.
“Prepare your homes and businesses as far as are you going to have hurricane shutters, impact windows, generators?” Pawul asked.
Residents are also encouraged to sign up for the AlertLee notifications, the emergency notification system that replaced CodeRed. The city and Lee County use the tool to send out targeted alerts.
Those previously registered with CodeRed must sign up for AlertLee to receive alerts. To register, visit the city’s Website at http://www.mysanibel.com and click on it in “Quick Links” along on the right.
When a hurricane is approaching, residents should monitor the city and county Websites and local media for important up-to-date information. Also, follow any evacuation orders and recommendations.
“The city of Sanibel, along with the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, we work really close together,” Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Barbot said, adding that this also includes the islands’ other agencies.
Communications and alerts will be released to the public via email, social media and such.
“I usually recommend the local news for weather over the national news,” Pawul said. “It’s usually geared specifically toward the area you need to know about.”
“And when an evacuation order is given, please follow it,” he added.
Officials explained that their agencies also follow evacuation orders.
Additional preparations should include putting up hurricane shutters, removing loose items from the yard and bringing them inside to prevent them from becoming projectiles, and gassing up any vehicles.
“Make sure any hazards that can happen during a storm you’ve addressed as best as you can,” Pawul said.
During and after the storm, hunker down in place until officials give the all clear.
“During a storm, don’t try to go outside, don’t try to to drive,” Towler said.
Officials explained that public safety personnel will stop responding to emergencies if the hurricane’s sustained winds reach a certain level and they will not start responding until the storm calms down.
Once the storm passes, police and fire will work with the city, county and other agencies to get the islands cleared as quickly as possible. During evacuations, a checkpoint will be set up at the toll booth at the bridge. As specific zones or areas are cleared, residents and businesses will be allowed back.
“Make sure that you are aware of when it is time to re-enter,” Towler said.
“Wait until the order is given that it is safe to return following the city of Sanibel’s direction,” Pawul said. “Until we have roads cleared and deemed safe, you don’t want to get stuck in an unsafe situation.”
Following a storm, stay home and only do a simple survey of any damage.
“The best thing to do post-storm is to resist the temptation to go out and walk around,” Barrett said. “There can be live power lines on the ground, there can be trees that haven’t fallen all the way down.”
“If there are down (power) lines, which are pretty common, assume and treat them as if they’re a live wire,” Pawul said. “Most likely, they probably are.”
For those relying on a generator, place it outside and follow the directions.
“Make sure they’re away from the house and not near windows, where the exhaust can get in and cause carbon monoxide poisoning,” Barrett said, noting that refilling a generator when hot can cause a fire.
Pawul recommended having a licensed professional install any generators.
“If you’re using a generator, be as careful as you can,” he said.
The city of Sanibel’s Website is at www.mysanibel.com.
Lee County is at www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement. It publishes an “All Hazards Guide” that is available at https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/plan/ahg.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email