UPDATE: County provides update on tropical storm
UPDATE:
At about 2:45 p.m. today, Lee County reported that the Emergency Operations Center has shifted to heightened monitoring and more regularly scheduled briefings with its partners, such as the Florida Division of Emergency Management, National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service, as well as local EOC partners.
Lee County is included in the governor’s executive order, and it is now under a State of Local Emergency. The county reported that the SOLE has been signed and issued in an abundance of caution. It is a necessary step to ensure that the county can recovery any costs, should damage occur. Each storm needs its own SOLE for this purpose.
Lee County offices will be closed for regular business on Aug. 29. Announcements about operations on Aug. 30 will be made at a later point. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners work session planned for Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. has been canceled. For additional adjustments or announcements, visit www.leegov.com/storm.
The National Hurricane Center forecast is for the storm to stay off the Lee County coast, with indirect impacts such as tropical storm force winds across communities that are trying to recover from Hurricane Ian. The county reported that Idalia is moving fast and is expected to have a short duration. The county is prepared to address the community’s needs.
No evacuation orders are in place at this time. The county does not anticipate any to be issued based on the forecast. It recognizes that post-Ian, some residents could be more susceptible to impacts than a typical tropical event. The county is planning to assist as necessary and is prepared to respond operationally.
Lee County will open two “safe havens” this evening. These are not shelters; they are a safe place for anyone who does not feel secure in their housing situation, such as people living in an Ian-damaged home or a trailer or motorhome. The county will announce the locations and opening times of the sites during a 5:30 p.m. livestream and on www.leegov.com/storm.
Today, residents should take the following steps to prepare for the storm event:
– Have a look at your Family Emergency Plan and Emergency Supply Kit.
– Identify where you will go if you do not feel safe in your home, such as a friend’s or family member’s home.
– Your Family Emergency Plan should include securing loose items in your yard.
The county reported that the Florida Department of Transportation projects on the Sanibel Causeway and Matlacha area are secured. Contractors are mobilized and will monitor the sites. They will immediately inspect the sites after the storm passes.
The county does not literally “close” bridges during tropical storms or hurricanes with barricades, cones, gates or signs because they can easily blow away, becoming ineffective and hazardous.
Lee DOT strongly advises motorists to stay off bridges — and the roads leading to them — when sustained winds reach 40 mph (tropical storm force). The county reported that at those speeds, wind gusts can be much higher. Winds also become stronger at higher elevations, so dangers increase on higher bridges and elevated roadways.
Motorists may encounter law enforcement officers during weather events around and near bridges. Follow the directions given.
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ORIGINAL (Aug. 28, 2023):
Lee County Government will have two livestream updates today related to Tropical Storm Idalia.
The first update will be held at 1 p.m. with Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Brian Hamman. The public can watch the livestream at www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC.
The second update will be held at 5:30 p.m. with the Lee County Commission and officials from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and School District of Lee County. The public can watch the livestream at www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC.
The county added that it is tentatively planning another livestream update on Aug. 29 at 8 a.m.