City and FISH to present storm seminars with panel of experts
The community encouraged to attend two island events in preparation for hurricane season.
The city of Sanibel will host its annual Hurricane Seminar on May 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at BIG ARTS on Sanibel. In addition, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva will hold a Hurricane Preparedness Seminar on June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Both are free and open to the public.
HURRICANE SEMINAR
The city’s annual Hurricane Seminar will be an informative event featuring a panel of speakers.
“It’s an impetus for the community to start planning and to make their own hurricane plan,” Sanibel Police Department Police Chief Bill Dalton, who will serve as the moderator and a speaker, said.
“We have had folks that have come and didn’t think to have to plan,” he added of past seminars. “And we hope if we have new folks in the community, they’ll come and learn how serious hurricanes are.”
The panel will share with residents, business owners and workers the city’s plan for the upcoming storm season, hurricane preparedness and family emergency planning, special needs issues, post-storm recovery plans, and more.
“It’s local officials and partners in the community,” Dalton said of the lineup.
This year’s panel of speakers will include:
– FOX 4 meteorologist Andrew Shipley, who will discuss how hurricanes form, past storms that have hit the area, how weather experts track hurricanes, and how storms are predicted
– Dalton, who will talk about the city’s hurricane reentry pass program for Sanibel and Captiva, how evacuation and reentry works, and what the agency does at the start of the recovery process
– Lee County Emergency Management Public Safety Chief John Schultz, who will speak on the county’s role in the broader sense — as the islands are also part of Lee County — what the county does, and the assistance and services that it provides, such as storm shelters
– Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot, who will discuss the district’s roles and responsibilities during a hurricane, including first responders’ search-and-rescue efforts
– FISH Executive Director Maria Espinosa, who will talk about the services and assistance that it provides, like helping people with special needs register with the county as special needs
– Sanibel Public Works Department Director Fred Mittl, who will speak on what staff does before a storm and any post-storm efforts that may be needed, such as clearing roads and debris clean up
– Sanibel Building Department Director and Building Official Craig Molé, who will discuss the building Codes and provide related flood information, to include the specific flood zones
The islands are invited to come out.
“It’s always a good thing to plan for what you’re going to do, plan your evacuation ahead of time,” Dalton said. “Plan for a storm and you’re really planning to live through a storm.”
Those unable to attend can watch the livesteam on the city’s Facebook page.
For more information or questions, call 239-472-4135.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR
Hosted in partnership with The Community House, the FISH Hurricane Preparedness Seminar will draw upon the hard-earned lessons from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year to help residents and workers on Sanibel and Captiva get ready and prepared for storm season.
“One of the things that we’ve learned in these last three years in responding to storms is that the best way to prepare individuals is to make things accessible, easy to understand and having resources available,” FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza said.
She strongly encouraged the community to attend both the city’s seminar and theirs.
“The way that ours is different is that we will go a little more in depth for people who may have barriers in place as far as preparedness,” Espinoza said, citing those with mobility issues, caregivers, islanders who live alone, ones needing assistance and even those with neighbors who need help.
The event will feature a panel of speakers.
“The way that we chose our experts was ensuring that they had enough subject matter expertise,” she said, noting that they also had to understand the unique needs of the islands and be able to tailor the presentations to the unique needs of the community.
The speakers will include:
– Lee County Emergency Management Community Readiness Coordinator Daniela Rambhajan, who will present an overview of the county’s All Hazards Guide and preparedness, plus offer practical guidance for keeping one’s household safe before, during and after a hurricane
Espinoza noted that Rambhajan has a background with nonprofits and rebuilding homes.
“So she understands what our community has been through the last three years,” she said.
– SalusCare clinician Tiffannie Nalley, who will speak about managing anxiety and PTSD related to hurricanes and how to cope with the emotional toll of disasters
Espinoza noted that the idea of preparing again for another season is daunting for many islanders.
“A lot of fatigue has been going on,” she said, adding that Nalley will provide simple steps and guidance for the community on how to overcome those feelings in order to prepare
Lunch will be provided.
In addition, attendees will receive a copy of FISH’s Hurricane Preparedness Packet.
“We make sure that we prepare a packet every year with updated information on how to prepare, checklists, hotels that are available in the area in the case of an evacuation, planning guides,” Espinoza said. “We try to tailor it to Sanibel and Captiva. Our team makes sure it is built for our residents.”
This year’s packet includes tips on:
– How to prepare one’s home ahead of a storm
– Evacuation planning and routes
– Emergency supply checklists
– Local hurricane shelter information
– Hotel contacts with generator access
– Guidance for vulnerable populations and senior
The islands are invited to come out.
“It’s important that preparedness happens during blue skies, so that when gray skies hit, a prepared home is a safe home,” she said.
For more information or questions, call 239-472-4775.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Hurricane Seminar
Who
City of Sanibel
When
May 30 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where
BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public
IF YOU GO
What
Hurricane Preparedness Seminar
Who
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva
When
June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public