Hurricane Seminar Held by City

What is known as the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season commences on June 1 and runs through November of each year. Tracking of cyclones of at least tropical storm intensity began around 1851. Since then, there have been 1624 such occurrences here in the Atlantic Basin, with 931 of those reaching hurricane strength.

The dates mean little or nothing to Florida first responders, for they understand the seriousness of the potential for injuries, fatalities and property loss that can be brought about by these storms, some of which have caused catastrophic losses up and down the Eastern U.S. and throughout the Caribbean.

On June 24, the City of Marco Island staff hosted a Hurricane Awareness Presentation for island residents and business owners, the purpose of which was to create awareness of how important it is to be prepared and to take potential threats seriously. The seminar was taped and will be replayed on a regular basis on the Marco TV Station.

It is estimated that Hurricane Irma did approximately $50 billion in damage to the State of Florida after making landfall on Marco Island on September 10, 2017, ranking it as the costliest storm in Florida’s history. Fortunately, there was no loss of life on Marco or in Collier and Lee Counties, but the storm did account for 72 deaths in the State of Florida, once again emphasizing the need to heed warnings by local and state officials.

Those in attendance at the seminar were welcomed by City Manager Michael McNees, who thanked them for taking the time to attend. He then turned the event over to Fire Chief Chris Byrne. Byrne himself has 38 years’ experience here on the island dealing with storms, from when he first became a firefighter on the island in 1983.

Byrne explained to the audience that there are several risk factors that must be taken into consideration as residents and staff prepare for storms:

• The fact we are a coastal barrier island.

• We are prone to flooding and storm surge.

• The damage potential from storm force winds.

• The tendency to have evacuation hesitancy.

• Re-entry after a storm. 

Another topic which Byrne addressed was the tendency over the last several years to see a relatively new phenomenon which has caught the attention of emergency managers - Rapid Storm Intensification. 

“We have seen this happening more and more as we’ve observed a storm initially demonstrating a lower intensity, such as a Category 1, and then, over a very short period of time, intensifying to a Category 2, 3 or even a level 4 storm. This changes the entire dynamic of potential damage which may be sustained in the impact area and the strong possibility for loss of life or very serious injuries,” Byrne explained. “A good example of that came in 2018 when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhandle. It quickly intensified from a high Category 1 or low Category 2 storm to a Category 5 storm in 24 hours.” 

He also reminded attendees of the importance of staying informed via legitimate sources of information including radio, TV and internet sites such as the city’s website at www.cityofmarcoisland.com and the city’s social media outlets such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You may also sign up for the city’s CODE RED Program or ALERT Collier. Simply go to the city’s website to access that information as well as hurricane preparedness information.

Staying informed and heeding the instructions given by emergency managers may provide you with the necessary information to avert a tragedy for yourself and/or members of your family.

Staff highly recommended that residents assemble their own disaster supply kits, with all the necessary supplies to sustain a household for five days, or to take with you if an evacuation order is given. You can find those suggested items on the city’s website under Hurricane Preparation.

This time of year, you should prepare your residence by securing items which could go airborne during quickly forming tropical waves that could impact the island, in addition to tropical storms or hurricanes. Have your landscapers trim your trees, clean out gutters and take the time to check your storm shutters, ensuring you have all the necessary hardware to secure those that are not rolldown or accordion style. 

You might also take the time to check with your insurance agent to ensure your policies are all in order, make copies of those documents and seal them in waterproof pouches along with other important documents such as passports, birth certificates and other papers.

If you are asked to evacuate, have a kit ready with all your medications, copies of your eyeglass prescriptions, other medical necessities and those documents we mentioned earlier, so you don’t leave important items behind.

When it is safe to return to the island, residents can be aware of that information by checking those sites mentioned earlier in this article. No one will be allowed back on the island until it is safe to return, but once allowed back, be aware of the potential for injury due to unseen hazards. Be especially cautious of driving through deep water or driving into deep water in swales, as well as the potential of exposure to downed power lines and creatures such as snakes and other reptiles.

Do not allow generators to be positioned so as to create a discharge of deadly carbon monoxide into living areas. NEVER run a generator inside a garage and do not back-feed electric current from a portable generator into a dryer hook up. This could start a fire in a residence or cause serious injury or death. 

Also, never attempt to refuel a running generator or drag it into a garage to refill it, where it might ignite and start a structure fire or cause serious burns to those attempting that procedure. Let the generator cool some prior to refueling and have a fire extinguisher present.

Carbon monoxide detectors are a smart addition to your home, and fire/smoke detectors should be checked regularly to ensure they all are in working order. 

You might also stock up on a plentiful supply of batteries, invest in a battery powered radio, and battery-powered lanterns or flashlights. It is never a good idea to attempt to light your home with candles.

Following these suggestions may go a long way in assisting you and your family to have a minimum of inconvenience and a high degree of safety:

• Have a plan in place prior to a storm being announced and share that plan with friends or relatives. Don’t hesitate to leave early if your intention is to do so.

• Stay informed through reliable sources.

• Prepare your Hurricane Kit.

• Prepare your home.

• Check on your neighbors and those in need.

• If the call goes out to evacuate, do so and don’t delay.

• Make sure your vehicles are fueled and ready to go.

• Secure your valuables and important papers.

• Monitor the situation prior to attempting to return and only then journey back.

• Never leave a pet behind, and check to determine a suitable shelter for you and your pet should you take advantage of local shelters.

Visit our webpage at www.coastalbreezenews.com to read all the breaking news regarding storms and other events important to you and your family.