CCFD: UPDATE# 5 – Lunchtime Briefing
UPDATE# 5 – Lunchtime Briefing, Thursday Sept. 7,
TIME: 12:30 p.m.
While it is still too soon to know exactly the path that Hurricane Irma will take, it is still very important to make necessary preparations. Residents are urged to finish preparing their property for the storm and complete any errands while the weather remains mild. Please see below for new, and a review of previously provided, information.
WEATHER:
CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSURES:
City Hall will be closed today and Friday (9/8).
Today’s first public hearing on the city budget has been canceled. Re-schedule date is TBD.
Monday’s (9/11) special and regular City Council meetings have been canceled.
All Parks and Recreation programs through the weekend have been canceled.
Waste Pro trash pickup will continue through Friday morning. Residents are asked to not put bulk items curbside at this time. It is unknown whether or not those items will be able to be collected prior to the storm making landfall. These items can become projectiles, potentially causing injury, property damage, or becoming a road obstruction.
Cape Coral Municipal Charter Schools and Lee County Schools are closed today and Friday (9/8). Cape Coral Charter Schools will also be closed on Monday (9/11).
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS/ROADWAYS:
While there are currently no incidents, there is heavy volume. Please be cautious and patient when on the road.
Drivers should expect delays and allot extra time if you are trying to find and buy fuel. If you are looking for fuel, you can download the mobile apps Gas Buddy or Waze. Both keep real time gas prices along with availability. It’s only as good as the information people send it so be sure to report any station that is out, etc.
By order of Governor Rick Scott, tolls have been suspended on State roads at this time, such as the Florida turnpike. At this time, tolls remain in effect on Lee County bridges.
EVACUATIONS:
No mandatory evacuations have been ordered at this time.
Please remember that once winds reach 40 MPH sustained, emergency services will be suspended. 9-1-1 will still take calls and add them to a queue. Calls will be triaged and will be responded to once operations have resumed.
Residents in low-lying and other vulnerable areas are urged to seek safer locations with friends and family.
Residents who plan to leave their homes are encouraged to take their pets and necessary supplies with them (see information in “Preparedness and Information Tips” menu tab.
SHELTERS:
No shelters are open at this time. As the storm approaches and more detailed information becomes available from the National Hurricane Center, decisions are expected later today regarding shelter openings and evacuations. The special needs shelter for REGISTERED individuals is expected to open later today.
Residents should continue to prepare by having a family disaster/evacuation plan, making sure their disaster supply kits are ready and by staying informed so they are ready to act when those evacuation orders are given.
As we get additional information from Lee County, we will provide updates.
For the latest information visit www.capecoral.net/hurricane.
Updated safety information and tips can be found under the “Preparedness and Safety Tips” menu tab.
The EOC Emergency Information Center is available for residents who may have questions or are looking for information. Please dial 3-1-1.
If you have not already done so, download the free Ping4alerts! App. This is the official application used by the City of Cape Coral for real-time, location-based, emergency alerts. You can learn more and download it at www.capecops.com/ping4
Source: City of Cape Coral Fire Department