CCFD: Update No. 8, Friday Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
The Cape Coral Fire Department has released an evening briefing:
WEATHER:
TRASH COLLECTION:
If any trash is not picked up after 7p.m. Friday, residents are asked to bring their bins as well as any trash bulk items inside so that they are secure and do not create safety issues. These items can become projectiles, potentially causing injury, property damage, or becoming a road obstruction.
ALCOHOL SALES:
With the exception of beer, the City is suspending the sale of, or the offer to sell, alcoholic beverages within the City of Cape Coral effective at close of business Friday (9/8)/Saturday (9/9) at 2 a.m. This includes stores, restaurants, and bars.
EVACUATIONS:
Effective immediately, Lee County Emergency Management has announced mandatory evacuations for Evacuation Zone A and portions of the Imperial River basin between East Terry, Bonita Beach Road and Interstate 75. These announcements are in preparation for the expected high winds and potential storm surge that may occur along the coastal areas. Please see the storm surge map to determine your evacuation area. For Cape Coral, evacuation areas are west of Burnt Store Road, south of Cape Coral Parkway, and east of Del Prado Boulevard up to Viscaya Parkway. Please make any last minute arrangements and leave the area ASAP if you are in any of the evacuation zones.
Please remember that while you may not be asked to evacuate, 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.
SHELTERS:
The following shelters were open for evacuees as of 9 a.m. Friday:
East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres PET FRIENDLY
Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Road., Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh Middle School, 1820 Unice Ave. N., Lehigh Acres
Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice St., Fort Myers
Island Coast High School, 2125 De Navarra Pkwy., Cape Coral
South Ft. Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road., Fort Myers PET FRIENDLY
Estero Rec Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Road., Estero THIS SHELTER HAS REACHED ITS CAPACITY
Lee County Emergency Management is preparing to open additional shelters at 10 a.m. Saturday:
Ray V. Pottorf Elementary, 600 Challenger Blvd., Fort Myers
Germain Arena, 11000 Everglades Parkway, Estero
LeeTran buses began transporting people to open evacuation shelters as of 9 a.m. this morning. To arrange transportation to a shelter, please call 2-1-1.
Regular transit service will continue to run at this time as well. At this time, all fares have been suspended for both Passport and
Fixed Route buses. LeeTran buses will remain running until winds reach approximately 40mph.
East Lee County High School and South Fort Myers High School are the primary pet-friendly shelters in Lee County but, thanks to the efforts of Lee County Domestic Animal Services, all opened Lee County Shelters have pet capacity. You will need a crate or carrier, collar and leash, and up-to-date vaccination records for your pet. Having a recent photo of your pet will be helpful if you get separated. If your pet is not up-to-date on its vaccinations, it will still be allowed at the shelter. However, the County will not be accepting liability if your pet gets sick due to being around other animals and being improperly vaccinated.
When going to a shelter, please bring 72 hours’ worth of food and water with you.
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS/ROADWAYS:
While there are currently no incidents, there is heavy volume. Please be cautious and patient when on the road. You can check roadways by visiting the FL 511 website or downloading the app.
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 app: 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 Gov. Rick Scott, tolls have been suspended on State roads at this time, such as the Florida turnpike. Tolls have also been suspended for Lee County bridges.
Bridges are generally considered unsafe to travel once sustained wind speeds reach 40 MPH. Please do not drive on bridges at that time.
CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSURES:
Monday’s (9/11) special and regular City Council meetings have been canceled.
All Parks and Recreation programs through the weekend have been canceled.
Cape Coral Municipal Charter Schools and Lee County Schools are closed Monday (9/11).
Early Voting as well as the Primary Election scheduled for Tuesday (9/12) have been canceled.
Early Voting has been rescheduled to September 21, 22, and 23, and the Primary Election has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 26.
BOATING INFORMATION:
The Chiquita Lock will be closed Saturday, Sept. 9, at noon.
Mandatory evacuations have been put into place for all liveaboard vessels.
Lee County DOT operated draw bridges Alva, Big Carlos Pass and Matlacha Pass will be locked down starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. The lock down will be complete by noon. The Gasparilla bridge (Boca Grande bridge) was locked down at 9a.m. Friday. Tolls are waived on the bridge.
Boat owners should take steps now to secure their vessels and be aware of the limitations of their anchor or mooring locations. For more preparation information, please see www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/plan/mediaresources and click on “Preparing Your Boat.”
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, please 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