UPDATE: City provides update on Hurricane Ian
UPDATE (Sept. 27, 2022):
At about 4 p.m. today, the city of Sanibel reported Hurricane Ian is a powerful Category 3 hurricane which is growing stronger in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Ian is forecast to approach the west coast of Florida as a dangerous major hurricane.
KEY MESSAGES
– Based on the current National Hurricane Center forecast, Hurricane Ian is predicted to hit Southwest Florida as a Category 3 storm with the potential for 8 feet to12 feet of storm surge in Lee County, regardless of where the storm makes landfall.
– The National Weather Service anticipates the following in Lee County: potential winds of greater than 110 mph; structural damage to sturdy buildings, with some complete roof and wall failures; large trees snapped or uprooted and many roads impassable from trees and debris; potential destruction of mobile homes regardless their location within the county; and widespread power outages.
– Lee County has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Zone A, including all of Sanibel, all of Zone B in Lee County, and parts of Zone C.
– County officials ask all residents who are under evacuation orders to take action immediately for their own safety.
– The city of Sanibel strongly advises all residents and property owners to comply with all emergency orders.
– Considering the mandatory evacuation by Lee County, Mayor Holly D. Smith signed a mayoral proclamation providing a general nighttime curfew on Sanibel between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the period of mandatory evacuation and while the local state of emergency is in effect.
– Public shelters are open in Lee County. To see the complete list of public shelters, visit https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/publicshelters. For more information about what to bring and what to expect at a public shelter, visit https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters.
INFORMATION FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Island Water Association
– Island Water Association employees will evacuate today, Sept. 27, by 9 p.m.
– IWA will continue to fill storage until the treatment plant is shut down.
– IWA will transition to its low-pressure diesel auxiliary pump to continue water service until the stored water or fuel is depleted.
– IWA has issued a precautionary boil water advisory to be in effect on Sept. 28 at 1 a.m.
…..
UPDATE (Sept. 27, 2022):
At about 12:30 p.m. today, the city of Sanibel reported that Hurricane Ian has emerged into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a powerful Category 3 hurricane and is expected to rapidly intensify ahead of its impact on the state of Florida this week. Ian is forecast to approach the west coast of Florida as a dangerous major hurricane.
KEY MESSAGES
– Lee County officials have informed city staff to expect potential storm surge between 8 feet to 12 feet, with the possibility of a storm surge as high as 15 feet.
– The city strongly advises all residents and property owners to comply with all emergency orders.
– In light of the mandatory evacuation by Lee County, Mayor Holly D. Smith signed a mayoral proclamation providing a general nighttime curfew on Sanibel between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the period of mandatory evacuation and while the local state of emergency is in effect.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
– Emergency responders will assess conditions on Sanibel to determine when it is safe to allow reentry.
– A Hurricane Reentry Pass is required to enter Sanibel after the passage of the storm.
– Portable generators must be used with caution. Never use a generator indoors and be sure to position the device at least ten feet away from doors, windows, and vents. For more information about generator safety, visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage/safe-generator-use.html#:~:text=Using%20a%20Generator%20at%20Home,-The%20primary%20hazards&text=Follow%20the%20directions%20supplied%20with,the%20generator%20with%20wet%20hands.
…..
ORIGINAL (Sept. 27, 2022):
At about 10 a.m. today, the city of Sanibel reported that Hurricane Ian is a Category 3 hurricane and continues to rapidly intensify ahead of its impact to the state of Florida this week. Strengthening is expected later this morning after Ian emerges over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Ian is forecast to approach the west coast of Florida as a dangerous major hurricane.
At this time, a hurricane warning has been issued for the west coast of Florida, from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River, including Sanibel-Captiva and Lee County.
Regardless of the exact track and intensity of Ian, there is a significant risk of storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida by the middle of this week. Storm surge has the potential to impact much of Florida’s west coast, with the highest risk from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay region.
Preparations to protect life and property from the various impacts of a major hurricane should be rushed to completion.
Lee County has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Zone A, including all of Sanibel-Captiva, and parts of Zone B. To see the map of areas under a mandatory evacuation order, visit https://www.leegov.com/hurricane/Documents/MandatoryEvac_20220927.pdf.
The following public shelters opened today, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. in Lee County:
– Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Ave., Fort Myers
– East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres
– Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
– Gateway High School, 13820 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers
– Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero
– Island Coast High School,2125 DeNavarra Parkway, Cape Coral
– Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice St., Fort Myers
– South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers
– Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Road North, Lehigh Acres
– Veterans Park Recreation Center, 49 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres
Additional public shelter openings are expected to be announced today.
Limited food and water will be available at public shelters; bring three days’ worth of your own food and water, too. Cots are not provided. Bring all necessary items, including sleeping bags, water, snacks or special dietary needs, books, clothing, and medications. For more information, visit https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters.
WATCHES, WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR SANIBEL
– A hurricane warning is in effect for the portions of the Gulf Coast stretching from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River, including Sanibel-Captiva and Lee County. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
– A storm surge warning is in effect for the portion of the Gulf Coast stretching from the Anclote River to Flamingo, including Sanibel-Captiva in coastal Lee County. A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, within the warning area.
CITY OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS
– City of Sanibel offices closed today, Sept. 27, at noon.
– The Sanibel Recycling Center will be open today, Sept. 27, until 4 p.m. for residents to prepare sandbags.
– The Sanibel Police Department will issue Hurricane Reentry Passes today, Sept. 27, until 4 p.m.
– The Sanibel Recreation Center is closed today, Sept. 27, and Sept. 28.
– Solid waste collection will occur as scheduled today, Sept. 27.
– There will be no solid waste collection on Sept. 28. Residents are advised to not set out refuse tonight or the morning of Sept. 28.
– Four dumpsters have been placed at the Sanibel boat ramp parking lot for residents to dispose of perishables as they evacuate the island.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
– City Administration: 239-472-3700
– Florida Department of Emergency Management’s Disaster Supply Kit Checklist (https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/hurricane-supply-checklist/)
– LCEC Power Outage Map (https://www.lcec.net/reliability/storm-center/outage-map)
– Information about reporting a power outage to LCEC (https://www.lcec.net/reliability/storm-center/report-an-outage)
All updates from the city will be posted to the city’s website. To receive instant updates, register to receive the city’s news releases at https://www.mysanibel.com/government/city-manager-s-office/useful-links/sign-up-for-city-announcements.
Residents, property owners, business owners, and property managers are strongly encouraged to stay informed with updates from the National Hurricane Center and local media outlets.