Update from the Lee EOC, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday:
Update from the Lee EOC, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday:
While Southwest Florida will likely see impacts from Hurricane Irma, it is too early to tell specifically what those impacts will be.
Lee County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is on partial activation as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. It’s anticipated a full activation will be called Wednesday morning. This means key partners necessary for an emergency response are working collaboratively at the EOC.
For the most up to date information, download the LeeAlert mobile phone app. To ensure you receive emergency alerts from Lee County Emergency Operations, also download the CodeRed app. Links to both can be found at www.leeeoc.com.
Residents should review their hurricane/evacuation plans, update their hurricane supply kit and be ready to act if evacuation orders are issued for certain populations and areas of the county. Residents should stay informed via local media and www.leeeoc.com.
Evacuation and sheltering decisions will be made as direct impacts from Irma become more clear, most likely over the next day or two. Those decisions will be communicated to local media when they are made.
Earlier Tuesday, the Lee Board of County Commissioners declared a State of Local Emergency. A State of Local Emergency allows political subdivisions and municipalities to waive their ordinances and Florida statutes in order to act in the best interest of the public in the case of an emergency.
The 211 Help Line is available for people who have questions or need information. To access the Help Line, dial 211 or 239-433-3900. United Way 211 staff will assist by providing information from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center and also will connect people to resources that may help. The 211 Help Line is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The decision by Lee County as to whether tolls will be suspended has not been made. That decision is anticipated Wednesday. Tolls will continue to be collected tonight and during the Wednesday morning commute at the Sanibel Toll Plaza, the Cape Coral Bridge and the Midpoint Bridge.
Source: Lee County Government