Many communities of Lee County are described as “Paradise,” and few residents or visitors argue with that. There is a six-month long “season,” however, which has most everyone getting ready for, while hoping the preparations won’t be needed; but each year the message is clear and strong: “Be prepared.”

This period is from June 1 to Nov. 30, and it is called the “Hurricane Season.” Being most prepared for any and all eventualities is the Lee County, Florida Division of Public Safety, Emergency Management/Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 2665 Ortiz Ave. in Fort Myers. The telephone number is (239)533-3622. Each year, EOC urges Lee County people to get ready to minimize the impact of a hurricane, should one strikes this area.

“The forecast is almost normal,” Emergency Management Coordinator Terry Kelley said recently, “but it only takes one storm to cost a major problem, and we want to be prepared in case we have a five-day forecast.”

Kelley emphasizes the need for all residents to be prepared, to listen to the news media and to follow any evacuation order.

“It does not mean we are going to have it, but we want everybody to be prepared,” he said.

Predictions for this 2009 Hurricane Season made in April by Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University William M. Gray, with Research Scientist Philip J. Klotzbach, were decreased from an initial prediction made in December 2008. As of April 7, they announced:

“We foresee average activity for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season.”

Whereas they had predicted 14 named storms in December, they changed the number to 12 in April, when they also announced six hurricanes and:

– Named storm days: 55

– Hurricane days: 25

– Intense hurricanes: 2

– Intense hurricane days: 5

Each year, EOC publishes the “All Hazards Guide.” Kelley said it is available at post offices, libraries, chambers of commerce and at some fire stations.

Get supplies

One of the recommendations from EOC is to have enough supplies for three days without power or the ability to go shopping. After a hurricane, it takes a few days to clear the roads of down trees and other debris for supply vehicles to get through. Actually, keeping the “Hurricane Kit” on hand year-round is not a bad idea, replacing the canned and dry food supplies from time to time. The so-call “No-Name” hurricane or “Storm of the Century” hit Florida in March 1993, and power outage can occur any time of the year, due to other causes.

The emergency kit should include:

– One gallon of drinking water per person and pet per day, and additional water for cooking and cleaning.

– Non-perishable ready-to-eat food, such as canned foods, peanut butter, energy or granola bars, and more.

– Manual can opener.

– Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications two week supply minimum;

– List of dosage amounts, doctor’s name and phone number for each member of the household;

– Analog phone one that does not use batteries or electricity;

– Personal items, such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet tissue, hygiene items, deodorant, denture adhesive, extra reading glasses and whatever else the family uses;

– Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, diaper cream and other needed items;

– Pillow, blanket, towels, wash cloths;

– Pet food, water, medications, leash/collar, cage, treats, litter or clean-up items, shot records, other important papers;

– Cash, credit cards;

– Important documents, such as driver’s license, social security card, medical cards, insurance policies, etc. They are best kept in a plastic bag to keep them dry;

– First aid kit, bug spray, sunscreen, extra batteries;

– Several sets of clean clothing;

– Unscented bleach to disinfect water;

– Flashlight and extra batteries;

– Work or gardening gloves, sturdy shoes, hat.

In addition, the automobile gas tank should be filled up in advance of the hurricane, in case evacuation is needed.

EOC has three ‘Activation Levels’

The EOC operates at one of three preparedness stages. For instance, in May, it was at Level Three, and described on the EOC Web site at: www.leeeoc.com

– Level Three (3) Monitoring, is day-to-day operations with routine staffing and office hours. Off hours emergency coverage is provided by “on call” teams.

– Level Two (2) Partial Activation, is when some, but not all, EOC elements are activated. This may include additional staff and extended work hours.

– Level One (1) Full Activation, provides round-the-clock staffing and services during an actual or pending emergency. A Full Activation is typically accompanied by a State of Local Emergency declared by the Board of County Commissioners.

The EOC Web site also provides valuable information, including a map of escape routes, in case evacuation becomes necessary. There is a list of emergency shelters (included herewith), and it must be noted that only one of them accepts pets. It is at South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road in Fort Myers.

People having special needs must register in advance and every year with Debbie Quimby at EOC, (239)533-3640. Each person must be accompanied by a companion/caregiver because the shelters do not have enough people to provide the individual assistance needed. There will be accommodations for the patients, but none for the accompanying person, therefore, he or she must bring cot/sleeping bag, blankets, towels, personal hygiene items, snacks and other needed items.

Advanced warnings

Residents are warned in advance when a hurricane appears to be moving toward them. Following several “advisories,” they will hear the following:

– Tropical Storm Watch This is announced some 36 hours in advance when sustained winds reach 39 to 73 mph.

– Tropical Storm Warning This is heard when the tropical storm is expected within 24 hours.

– Hurricane Watch The wind velocity has reached 74 mph or higher, and the landfall is expected in some 36 hours.

– Hurricane Warning By that time, landfall is expected within 24 hours.

Be wise, be safe

It is wise to have a fire extinguisher handy and smoke alarms with fresh batteries at all time. If using a generator to provide electricity, it must be kept outdoors and at a good distance from doors or windows to prevent fumes from entering the house. Extension cords of the right sizes can be used to plug in appliances.

Until electric power is restored by the local utilities, the main switch on the electric panel must be kept “off.” It has happened that roof damage had occurred without occupants being immediately aware of it, and this caused electric wiring damage. When power is restored, touching wires can cause a fire. If the residents are at home, they can smell the smoke, but if away, the fire can gain a considerable size before it is detected by neighbors or upon return of the residents.

If thinking of evacuating with an RV or other high vehicle, it is wise to do so early. Emergency Management warns when the winds reach 40 miles per hour, bridges may be closed and these vehicles will not be allowed on evacuation routes. Like emergency vehicles in shape of boxes, they can easily be overturned by winds reaching that velocity and above. Hurricanes also bring heavy rain, causing poor visibility and flooding.

Where to go to be safe

People living in apartment buildings or in homes built on site may decide to stay put. Some of the newest homes may have built-in shelters. The “safe room” is inside the house, reinforced, and with walls independent of the home’s structure. Such safe room can be added to an existing home, however this is never suitable in a location within the flood zone or susceptible to storm surge.

If flooding occurs, any bag of fertilizer or other chemicals kept on the garage floor will be washed out throughout the home. To avoid this from happening, it is recommended to place all such containers or bags on a shelf or other elevated place.